A novel composition and method of use to control pathogens and prevent diseases in seeds

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) which when solubilized in water (W) and either in the presence of a wetting agent and/or in the presence of at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent, forms a synergistic composition useful for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds. Said composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) comprises at least one oxidizer in liquid form or solid form, or a precursor thereof in liquid or solid form, said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent is soluble in water (W); the water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is dissolved in the water (W), in a weight ratio (CWSI)/(W) ranging from 1:100 to 1:4, and when present, said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent represents from 2% by volume to 70% by volume of the total volume of the synergistic composition to be formed. The invention also relates to a synergistic composition for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, and a method and a use of the same.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of agriculture, food safety and post-harvest food treatments to address the lack of useful methods to prevent bacterial contamination of dry raw agricultural commodities. The novel composition provides unexpectedly high degree of control required for food safety. The invention also relates to a method of use thereof.

More particularly, the invention relates to a composition of water-soluble ingredients, said water-soluble ingredients comprising at least one oxidizer, at least one lower alcohol and optionally at least one wetting agent, which when solubilized in a water-containing solvent forms an aqueous, synergistic composition useful for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, more preferably edible seeds such as hemp seeds, flax seeds or chia seeds. Also, the invention relates to an aqueous, synergistic composition obtained by dissolving the above-mentioned composition in water, and relates to method and use of said aqueous, synergistic composition for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, more preferably edible seeds such as hemp seeds, flax seeds or chia seeds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Published international application No. WO2007/092180 describes a fertilizer composition for application to a seed, plant, growth medium or growth solution, said composition comprising an oxidizing agent wherein bioavailable oxygen is released upon contact to the composition with water, optionally a solvent such as methyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanonon, xylenes, toluene, chlorobenzene, paraffins, kerosene, white oil, alcohols, methylnaphthalene, trimethylbenzene, trichloroethylene, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA), and eventually other additives selected from the group consisting of companion cations, cation reducing agents, pH modulators, nutrients, organic compounds, penetrants, microorganisms, pesticides, fungicides, insecticides, nematocides, herbicides, water trapping agents, enzymes, surfactants, wetting agents, spreaders, stickers and growth hormones. This published international application WO2007/092180 further relates to a method of use of said fertilizer composition. However, this published international application does not provide a novel solution to control the high level of pathogens on edible food commodities.

Peracetic acid (C₂H₄O₃) in an aqueous solution is a mixture which is further comprising acetic acid (CH₃COOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Typically, peracetic acid (also identified hereinafter under the acronym PAA) is produced by reacting acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. It is also well known to generate a liquid solution comprising PAA starting from the dissolution of a powdered mixture (U.S. Pat. No. 7,291,276; UK patent application No. 2,355,198; FR patent application 2,728,171; Canadian patent application No. 2,569,025; International PCT patent application WO 95/02330 and EP patent application No. 0 648 418).

Also, peracetic acid (also known under the tradename peracid) is a strong oxidizing agent which is known for having virucidal, bactericidal, fungicidal and algaecidal properties. Peracetic acid was patented in 1950 for the treatment of raw plant tissue, especially for the treatment of fruits and vegetables, to reduce spoilage from bacteria and fungi destined for processing (U.S. Pat. No. 2,512,640). Nowadays, peracetic acid is commonly use in food processing and handling as a sanitizer for food contact surfaces and as a disinfectant for fruits, vegetables, meat and eggs (NOSB TAP Materials database compiled by OMRI, Nov. 3^(rd) 2000, 7 pages). In the production of fruits and vegetables, peracetic aqueous solutions have been suggested to control pathogenic organisms on growing plants (U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,986; U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,483; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,685).

As per Applicant's published international patent application WO 2012/051699, a solution of peracetic acid generated in situ in combination with a plant defence enhancer demonstrated excellent anti-bactericidal and anti-fungal properties. More particularly, in this international patent application it was evidenced a synergy of peracetic acid and at least one plant defence enhancer for the control of pathogens in and onto growing plants. Furthermore, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of said published international patent application WO2012/051699, the presence of a surfactant in a synergistic mix of a precursor of peracetic acid and potassium silicate (i.e. a SAR inducer), enhances the release of peracetic acid when admixed with water.

However, concerning seeds, more particularly seeds having external shells, especially edible seeds such as hemp seeds, flax seeds and chia seeds, the person skilled in the art notes that existing compositions do not allow an oxidizer to cover the surface of the seeds efficiently in order to kill pathogens present thereon and/or therein.

Therefore, there was still a strong need for a composition allowing to obtain an efficient control and/or treatment of diseases associated with seeds, especially concerning seeds having external shells, especially edible grains and seeds such as hemp seeds. Also, there was a strong need for method and use allowing to control and/or treat efficiently seeds having pathogens present thereon.

Also, it is to be noted that literature did not recommend using alcohol on seeds because the person skilled in the art knows that alcohol at low dosage does not kill bacteria. In this regard, reference can be made to the content of the article of Mena et al., “Influence of Ethanol on Probiotic and Culture Bacteria Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus within a Therapeutic Product”, Open Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2012, 2, 70-76. In this article Mena et al. showed that ethanol added to yogurt does not affect the count of Lactobacillus sp.

Also, it is to be noted in addition to the teaching of the above-mentioned article of Mena et al. that not only alcohol does not kill bacteria at low levels but also it is used (at concentration of around 1 to 5%) as a carbon source for bacteria to promote their growth. In this regard, reference can be made to the content of the article of Smith et al., “Microbial Synergia via an Ethanol-Triggered Pathway”, Molecular and Cellular Biology, May 2004, p. 3874 -3884.

Surprisingly, the Applicant has recently discovered that when using at least one oxidizer in combination with at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent and/or wetting agent, soluble in water, and much more preferably at least one alcohol, optionally with or without at least one wetting agent (e.g. a surfactant), it is possible to obtain a synergy between above ingredients to provide an aqueous, synergistic composition, a method and a use allowing to cover the seeds surfaces efficiently with said at least one oxidizer in order and provide an efficient control and/or treatment of seeds having pathogens present thereon.

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the Applicant has surprisingly discovered that the presence of a wetting agent along with an oxidizer in an aqueous solution of the same:

-   -   allows a better coverage of the seeds.

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the Applicant has surprisingly discovered that the presence of alcohol along with an oxidizer in an aqueous solution of the same:

-   -   allows a better coverage of the seeds;     -   helps drying the seeds after having applied the aqueous         solution;     -   prevents the release of mucilage from seeds such as flax and         chia, and thus maintains the nutritional value and natural         composition of the seeds intact; and/or     -   maintains organoleptic properties of said seeds.

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the Applicant has surprisingly discovered that the presence of alcohol and a wetting agent, along with an oxidizer in an aqueous solution of the same:

-   -   allows a better coverage of the seeds;     -   helps drying the seeds after having applied the aqueous         solution;     -   prevents the release of mucilage from seeds such as flax and         chia, and thus maintains the nutritional value and natural         composition of the seeds intact;     -   maintains organoleptic properties of said seeds; and/or     -   shows an unexpected better efficiency.

Also, concerning the prevention of mucilage from seeds, it is to be noted that a person skilled in the art, would not have been motivated to use a composition containing water on seeds such as flax, which are recognized to produce mucilage when contacted with water. Surprisingly, the aqueous, synergistic composition according to the invention prevents mucilage from seeds. Preferably, an extra amount of an agriculturally acceptable alcohol may be added to said aqueous, synergistic composition in order to further reduce the amount of water in such case. Such an extra amount of an agriculturally acceptable alcohol does not affect the synergy mentioned hereinabove.

Also, it is worth mentioning that the Applicant has surprisingly discovered that contact of the aqueous, synergistic composition with the seeds can be extended up to 12 to 72 hours, thereby providing a better efficiency in reducing the pathogens. Optionally, in the case of extended contact of the seeds with the aqueous synergistic composition, it may be advantageous to lower the humitidy content of the seeds below 10% after the treatment with the synergistic solution (in order to prevent regrowth of pathogens in and/or on the seeds). The regulation of the humidity content of seeds can be achieved by any appropriate means well known to person skilled in the art.

Also, it is worth mentioning that said synergistic composition, method and use is particularly efficient to kill human pathogens such as bacteria (e.g. E. coli, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes), coliforms that may be present on the surface of said seeds, as well as yeast and mould which may be present on the surface of said seeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment, the invention relates to a first composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) which when solubilized in water (W) and either in the presence of a wetting agent, or preferably in the presence of at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent, or more preferably in the presence of a wetting agent and at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent, forms a synergistic composition useful for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, preferably seeds having external shells, more preferably edible seeds and much more preferably hemp, flax and chia seeds, wherein (i) said composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) comprises at least one oxidizer in liquid form or solid form, or a precursor thereof in liquid or solid form, and preferably

-   -   liquid preformed peracetic acid and/or in-situ generated         peracetic acid from powder precursors; and/or     -   liquid hydrogen peroxide and/or hydrogen peroxide released from         a powder persalt, and/or     -   other liquid oxidizers and/or powder oxidizers such as those         generating iodine, chlorine, bromine and/or chlorine dioxide;

wherein (ii) said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent is soluble in water (W);

wherein said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent is preferably an agriculturally acceptable alcohol, glycol ether, propylene glycol, or ethylene glycol, and much more preferably an alcohol of formula ROH where R represents a linear alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a branched alkyl group having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms; wherein the water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is dissolved in the water (W), in a weight ratio (CWSI)/(W) ranging from 1:100 to 1:4, and

wherein when present, said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent represents from 2% by volume to 70% by volume, preferably about 50% by volume, of the total volume of the synergistic composition to be formed.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a second composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) which when solubilized in water (W) and in the presence of a wetting agent, forms a synergistic composition useful for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, preferably seeds having external shells, more preferably edible seeds and much more preferably hemp, flax and chia seeds,

wherein (i) said composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) comprises said wetting agent and at least one oxidizer in liquid form or solid form, or a precursor thereof in liquid or solid form, and preferably

-   -   liquid preformed peracetic acid and/or in-situ generated         peracetic acid from powder precursors; and/or     -   liquid hydrogen peroxide and/or hydrogen peroxide released from         a powder persalt, and/or     -   other liquid oxidizers and/or powder oxidizers such as those         generating iodine, chlorine, bromine and/or chlorine dioxide;         wherein the water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is dissolved in         water (W), in a weight ratio (CWSI)/(W) ranging from 1:100 to         1:4.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the second composition defined hereinabove, wherein the at least one wetting agent is

-   -   an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of         carboxylates, sulfonates, petroleum sulfonates,         alkylbenzenesulfonates, naphthalene sulfonates, olefin         sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, sulfated natural oils, sulfated         natural fats, sulfated esters, sulfated alkanolamides,         alkylphenol ethoxylates and sulfated alkylphenols;     -   a non-ionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of         alcohol ethoxylates, ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols,         polyoxyethylene surfactants, carboxylic esters, polyethylene         glycol esters, anhydrosorbitol ester and its ethoxylated         derivatives, glycol esters of fatty acids, carboxylic amides,         monoalkanolamine condensates and polyoxyethylene fatty acid         amides;     -   a cationic surfactant selected from the group consisting of         quaternary ammonium salts, amines with amide linkages,         polyoxyethylene alkyl and alicyclic amines, 4-N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis         substituted ethylenediamines and 5,2-alkyl-1-hydroxyethyl         2-imidazolines;     -   an amphoteric surfactant selected from the group consisting of         N-coco 3-aminopropionic acid and its sodium salt, N-tallow         3-iminodipropionate and its disodium salt, N-carboxymethyl         N-dimethyl N-9 octadecenyl ammonium hydroxide, and         N-cocoamidethyl N-hydroxyethylglycine and its sodium salt; or     -   an organic biodegradable surfactant obtained from a natural         source such as polyglycosides.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the second composition defined hereinabove, wherein the at least one wetting agent is an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant, preferably manufactured from fatty alcohols and glucose/dextrose, and more preferably Alkyl polyglycoside APG 325N® liquid or GLUCOPON® 50 G powder.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the second composition defined hereinabove, wherein the wetting agent represents up to 25% by weight of the weight of the oxidizer, preferably about 4% by weight

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a third composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) which when solubilized in water (W) and at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent, forms a synergistic composition useful for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, preferably seeds having external shells, more preferably edible seeds and much more preferably hemp, flax and chia seeds,

wherein (i) said composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) comprises at least one oxidizer in liquid form or solid form, or a precursor thereof in liquid or solid form, and preferably

-   -   liquid preformed peracetic acid and/or in-situ generated         peracetic acid from powder precursors; and/or     -   liquid hydrogen peroxide and/or hydrogen peroxide released from         a powder persalt, and/or     -   other liquid oxidizers and/or powder oxidizers such as those         generating iodine, chlorine, bromine and/or chlorine dioxide;         wherein (ii) said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent         is soluble in water (W);

wherein said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent is preferably an agriculturally acceptable alcohol, glycol ether, propylene glycol, or ethylene glycol, and much more preferably an alcohol of formula ROH where R represents a linear alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a branched alkyl group having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms;

wherein the water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is dissolved in the water (W), in a weight ratio (CWSI)/(W) ranging from 1:100 to 1:4, and

wherein said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent represents from 2% by volume to 70% by volume, preferably about 50% by volume, of the total volume of the synergistic composition to be formed.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, which when solubilized in water (W) and at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent, forms a synergistic composition for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, wherein said composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is to be dissolved in water in a weight ratio (CWSI)/(W) in the range from 1:100 to 1:4;

wherein (i) said composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is

-   -   a liquid preformed peracetic acid, or

an in situ generated peracetic acid obtained from a powdered composition of water-soluble ingredients (PCWSI) defining a peracetic acid precursor and consisting of a dry, mixture of:

-   -   (i)-a) 30-60% w/w of a solid hydrogen peroxide precursor,     -   (i)-b) 10-40% w/w of a pH adjusting agent which is an organic         acid or an inorganic acid, and     -   (i)-c) 10-40% w/w of an acetylating agent; and wherein said         peracetic acid precursor generates in situ peracetic acid (PAA)         when the powdered composition of water-soluble ingredients         (PCWSI) is contacted with water (W) in a weight ratio         (PCWSI)/(W) ranging from 1:100 to 1:4, being understood that         when 2 g of said dry, water-soluble mixture of (i)-a), (i)-b),         (i)-c) is admixed with 1000 g of water, 100 to 250 ppm of         peracetic acid (PAA) are generated in situ at pH 9.0±3; and

wherein (ii) said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent is soluble in water (W) selected from the group consisting of an agriculturally acceptable alcohol, glycol ether, propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, and represents from 2% by volume to 70% by volume of the total volume of the synergistic composition to be formed.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein the at least one oxidizer is the liquid preformed peracetic acid and/or the in-situ generated peracetic acid from the powder precursors, preferably the in-situ generated peracetic acid from the powder precursors.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein the at least one agriculturally acceptable alcohol is further a food-grade alcohol which is listed in FDA's CFR 21 as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) for use in food (section 184.1293), preferably ethanol, propanol or isopropanol, and more preferably a food graded ethanol.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein said composition of water-soluble ingredients further comprises:

(iii) at least one wetting agent.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein the at least one wetting agent is

-   -   an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of         carboxylates, sulfonates, petroleum sulfonates,         alkylbenzenesulfonates, naphthalene sulfonates, olefin         sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, sulfated natural oils, sulfated         natural fats, sulfated esters, sulfated alkanolamides,         alkylphenol ethoxylates and sulfated alkylphenols;     -   a non-ionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of         alcohol ethoxylates, ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols,         polyoxyethylene surfactants, carboxylic esters, polyethylene         glycol esters, anhydrosorbitol ester and its ethoxylated         derivatives, glycol esters of fatty acids, carboxylic amides,         monoalkanolamine condensates and polyoxyethylene fatty acid         amides;     -   a cationic surfactant selected from the group consisting of         quaternary ammonium salts, amines with amide linkages,         polyoxyethylene alkyl and alicyclic amines, 4-N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis         substituted ethylenediamines and 5,2-alkyl-1-hydroxyethyl         2-imidazolines;     -   an amphoteric surfactant selected from the group consisting of         N-coco 3-aminopropionic acid and its sodium salt, N-tallow         3-iminodipropionate and its disodium salt, N-carboxymethyl         N-dimethyl N-9 octadecenyl ammonium hydroxide, and         N-cocoamidethyl N-hydroxyethylglycine and its sodium salt; or     -   an organic biodegradable surfactant obtained from a natural         source such as polyglycosides.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein the at least one wetting agent is an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant, preferably manufactured from fatty alcohols and glucose/dextrose, and more preferably Alkyl polyglycoside APG 325N® liquid or GLUCOPON® 50 G powder.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein the wetting agent represents up to 25% by weight of the weight of the oxidizer, preferably about 4% by weight

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein the at least one additional agriculturally acceptable solvent is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alcohols and glycol ethers, more particularly from the group consisting of ethanol, isopropanol and monobutyl ether of ethylene glycol, and much more preferably being food grade ethanol.

-   -   a. According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the         third composition defined hereinabove, wherein the composition         of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is a powdered composition of         water-soluble ingredients (PCWSI) comprising:     -   (i) a peracetic acid precursor comprising:         -   a) a solid hydrogen peroxide precursor,         -   b) optionally a pH adjusting agent, and         -   c) an acetylating agent; and             wherein said peracetic acid precursor generates in situ             peracetic acid (PAA) when contacted water (W) in a weight             ratio (PCWSI)/(W) ranging from 1:100 to 1:4, forms a             corresponding solution of peracetic acid, the at least one             agriculturally acceptable solvent forming a mixture with the             water (W) or being preferably added to the solution of             peracetic acid, to form the synergistic composition.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein the at least one agriculturally acceptable alcohol is a food-grade alcohol which is listed in FDA's CFR 21 as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) for use in food (section 184.1293), preferably ethanol, propanol or isopropanol, and more preferably a food graded ethanol.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein said powdered composition composition of water-soluble ingredients (PCWSI) further comprises at least one wetting agent.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein the wetting agent is

-   -   an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of         carboxylates, sulfonates, petroleum sulfonates,         alkylbenzenesulfonates, naphthalene sulfonates, olefin         sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, sulfated natural oils, sulfated         natural fats, sulfated esters, sulfated alkanolamides,         alkylphenol ethoxylates and sulfated alkylphenols;     -   a non-ionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of         alcohol-ethoxylates, ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols,         polyoxyethylene surfactants, carboxylic esters, polyethylene         glycol esters, anhydrosorbitol ester and its ethoxylated         derivatives, glycol esters of fatty acids, carboxylic amides,         monoalkanolamine condensates and polyoxyethylene fatty acid         amides;     -   a cationic surfactant selected from the group consisting of         quaternary ammonium salts, amines with amide linkages,         polyoxyethylene alkyl and alicyclic amines, 4-N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis         substituted ethylenediamines and 5,2-alkyl-1-hydroxyethyl         2-imidazolines;     -   an amphoteric surfactant selected from the group consisting of         N-coco 3-aminopropionic acid and its sodium salt, N-tallow         3-iminodipropionate and its disodium salt, N-carboxymethyl         N-dimethyl N-9 octadecenyl ammonium hydroxide, and         N-cocoamidethyl N-hydroxyethylglycine and its sodium salt; or     -   an organic biodegradable surfactant obtained from natural source         such as polyglycosides.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein the at least one wetting agent is alkyl polyglycoside surfactant, preferably manufactured from fatty alcohols and glucose/dextrose, and more preferably Alkyl polyglycoside APG 325N® liquid or GLUCOPON® 50 G powder.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein the wetting agent represents up to 25% by weight of the weight of the peracetic precursor, preferably about 4% by weight

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein the peracetic acid precursor is a dry, water-soluble mixture of:

-   -   (i)-a) 30-60% w/w of the solid hydrogen peroxide precursor,     -   (i)-b) 10-40% w/w the pH adjusting agent, and     -   (i)-c) 10-40% w/w of the acetylating agent;         wherein (i)-a), (i)-b) and (i)-c) represent the peracetic acid         precursor; and wherein when 2 g of said dry, water-soluble         mixture of (i)-a), (i)-b), (i)-c) is admixed with 1000 g of         water, 100 to 250 ppm of peracetic acid (PAA) are generated in         situ at pH 9.0±3.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein said powdered composition of water-soluble ingredients (PCWSI) comprises is a dry, water-soluble mixture of:

1. about 58% w/w of the solid hydrogen peroxide precursor,

2. about 18% w/w the pH adjusting agent,

3. about 20% w/w of the acetylating agent;

4. about 4% w/w of a wetting agent as defined hereinabove; and

wherein (1), (2) and (3) represent the peracetic acid precursor; and wherein when 2 g of said dry, water-soluble mixture of (1), (2), (3) and (4) is admixed with 1000 g of water, 100 to 250 ppm of peracetic acid (PAA) are generated in situ at pH 9.0±3.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third composition defined hereinabove, wherein the peracetic acid precursor generates about 200 ppm of peracetic acid (PAA).

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the compositions defined hereinabove, wherein the acylating agent is acetylsalicylic acid or tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), preferably tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED).

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the compositions defined hereinabove, wherein the solid hydrogen peroxide precursor is a persalt, preferably sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, ammonium percarbonate, sodium peroxyhydrate, calcium peroxide, sodium peroxide, sodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium persulfate, potassium monopersulfate, perphosphate, magnesium peroxide, zinc peroxide, urea hydrogen peroxide, perhydrate of urea, thiourea dioxide, or mixtures thereof, and more preferably sodium percarbonate or ammonium percarbonate, and much more preferably sodium percarbonate.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the compositions defined hereinabove, wherein the pH adjusting agent is an organic acid or an inorganic acid, preferably sulfuric acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, glycolic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, hydrofluoric acid, nitrous acid, hydrocyanic acid, benzoic acid, carboxylic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, sulfa mic acid, phosphorous acid, dipicolinic acid, urea.HCl, boric acid, or mixtures thereof, and more preferably citric acid.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a first synergistic composition for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, preferably seeds having external shells, more preferably edible seeds and much more preferably hemp, flax and chia seeds, wherein said synergistic composition comprises:

-   -   water (W),     -   the first composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI)         defined hereinabove , and     -   at least one wetting agent soluble in water (W), or preferably         at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent which is soluble         in water (W), or more preferably at least one wetting agent         soluble in water (W) and preferably at least one agriculturally         acceptable solvent which is soluble in water (W);         said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent being         preferably an agriculturally acceptable alcohol, glycol ether,         propylene glycol, or ethylene glycol, and much more preferably         an alcohol of formula ROH where R represents a linear alkyl         group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a branched alkyl group         having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms;

wherein the composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is contacted with water (W), in a weight ratio (CWSI)/(W) ranging from 1:100 to 1:4, preferably 1:5, wherein, when present, the at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent either forming a mixture with the water (W) or being preferably added to a solution of peracetic acid resulting from the contact of the composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) with water, to form the synergistic composition; and

wherein when present, the at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent is present in the synergistic composition in such an amount that it represents from 2% by volume to 70% by volume, preferably about 50% by volume, of the total volume of the synergistic composition.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a second synergistic composition for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, preferably seeds having external shells, more preferably edible seeds and much more preferably hemp, flax and chia seeds, wherein said synergistic composition comprises:

-   -   water (W),     -   the second composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI)         defined hereinabove, and     -   at least one wetting agent soluble in water (W);         wherein the composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is         contacted with water (W), in a weight ratio (CWSI)/(W) ranging         from 1:100 to 1:4, preferably 1:5.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a third synergistic composition for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, preferably seeds having external shells, more preferably edible seeds and much more preferably hemp, flax and chia seeds, wherein said synergistic composition comprises:

-   -   water (W),     -   the third composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI)         defined hereinabove, and     -   at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent which is soluble         in water (W), said at least one agriculturally acceptable         solvent being preferably an agriculturally acceptable alcohol,         glycol ether, propylene glycol, or ethylene glycol, and much         more preferably an alcohol of formula ROH where R represents a         linear alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a         branched alkyl group having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms;

wherein the composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is contacted with water (W), in a weight ratio (CWSI)/(W) ranging from 1:100 to 1:4, preferably 1:5, the at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent either forming a mixture with the water (W) or being preferably added to a solution of peracetic acid resulting from the contact of the composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) with water, to form the synergistic composition; and

wherein the at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent being present in the synergistic composition in such an amount that it represents from 2% by volume to 70% by volume, preferably about 50% by volume, of the total volume of the synergistic composition.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third synergistic composition defined hereinabove, wherein the composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is contacted with water (W), in a weight ratio (CWSI)/(W) ranging from 1:100 to 1:4, preferably 1:5, the at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent being added to a solution of peracetic acid resulting from the contact of the composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) with water, to form the synergistic composition.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the synergistic compositions defined hereinabove, wherein the at least one oxidizer is the preformed liquid peracetic acid, wherein the volume ratio of the preformed liquid peracetic to the water (W) is about 1:5, and wherein said synergistic composition has about 5% by weight of dissolved peracetic acid with respect to the total weight of the synergistic composition.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the synergistic compositions defined hereinabove, wherein the at least one oxidizer is the preformed liquid peracetic which have the following formulation:

Ingredients Percentage (w/w) Distilled Water 21.0% Acetic Acid 92% (CAS number: 64-19-7) 13.5% Sulphuric Acid 96% (CAS number: 7664-93-9) 1.1% Hydrogen Peroxide 50% (CAS number: 7722-84-1) 62.0% Citric acid - Food grade (CAS number: 77-92-9) 0.9% APG 325N ® (Polyglycoside surfactant) 1.5% CAS number: 110615-47-9: TOTAL: 100% w/w.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the synergistic compositions defined hereinabove, wherein the composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is a powdered composition of water-soluble ingredients (PCWSI) as defined hereinabove, and wherein the powdered composition of water-soluble ingredients (PCWSI) is dissolved in water (W) in the weight ratio (PCWSI)/(W) ranging from 1:100 to 1:4, preferably about 1:10.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third synergistic composition defined hereinabove, wherein when the at least one additional agriculturally acceptable solvent is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alcohols and glycol ethers, more particularly from the group consisting of ethanol, isopropanol and monobutyl ether of ethylene glycol, and much more preferably being food grade ethanol, and said aqueous synergistic composition further prevents the release of mucilage from seeds, especially on flax seeds and chia seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the synergistic compositions defined hereinabove, wherein said synergistic composition is for an application to the seeds by spraying, vaporizing, soaking, fumigating, or electrostatic spraying, preferably spraying.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the synergistic compositions defined hereinabove, wherein the pathogens selected from the group consisting of viruses, bacteria, fungi, yeasts and moulds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third synergistic composition defined hereinabove, for the further prevention of mucilage from seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the synergistic compositions defined hereinabove, wherein pathogens are bacteria, preferably bacteria are selected from the group consisting of E. Coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp., and more preferably E. coli in hemp seed and Salmonella in chia seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the synergistic compositions defined hereinabove, wherein pathogens cause disease in crop plants; said pathogens are bacteria (including but not limited to Agrobacterium spp., Burkholderia spp., Clavibacter spp., Corynebacterium spp., Erwinia spp., Pseudomonas spp., Ralstonia spp., Rhizomonas spp., Xanthomonas spp., and Xylella spp.).

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the synergistic compositions defined hereinabove, wherein pathogens cause disease in crop plants; said pathogens are fungi (including but not limited to Albugo spp., Alternaria spp., Armillaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Athelia spp., Bipolaris spp., Botryosphaeria spp., Botryotinia spp., Botrytis spp., Bremia spp., Capnodium spp., Ceratobasidium spp., Ceratocystis spp., Cercospora spp., Choanephora spp., Claviceps spp., Corynespora spp., Cronartium spp., Cryphonectria spp., Cylindrocladium spp., Cytospora spp., Diaporthe spp., Dipodia spp., Dreschlera spp., Elsinoe spp., Erexohilum spp., Erysiphe spp., Eutypha spp., Exobasidium spp., Fusarium spp., Gaeumannomyces spp., Gliocladium spp., Gymnosporangium spp., Heterobasidium spp., Hypoxylon spp., Kutilakesa spp., Lophiodermium spp., Magnaporthe spp., Melampsora spp., Monilinia spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Myrothecia spp., Nectriella spp., Nematospora spp., Oidium spp., Olpidium spp., Ophiostoma spp., Penicillium spp., Peronospora spp., Phakospora spp., Phoma spp., Phomopsis spp., Phragmidium spp., Phyllactinia spp., Physoderma spp., Phytophthora spp., Plasmodiophora spp., Plasmopara spp., Pseudoperonospora spp., Puccinia spp., Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Rhizopus spp., Rhytisma spp., Sclerotinia spp., Sclerotium spp., Spongospora spp., Synchytrium spp., Taphrina spp., Thanatephorus spp., Thielaviopsis spp., Tilletia spp., Uncinula spp., Urocystis spp., Ustilago spp., Valsa spp., Venturia spp., Verticillium spp., and Xylaria spp.).

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the synergistic compositions defined hereinabove, wherein the seeds are edible seeds, grains raw and/or cooked, seeds of transplantable crops, or seeds for sprouting, such as:

-   -   cereals such as: true cereals which are seeds of certain species         of grass: maize, wheat and rice, said cereal including and being         not limited to barley, fonio, maize (corn), pearl millet, oats,         palmer's grass, rice, rye, sorghum, spelt, teff, triticale,         wheat or wild rice;     -   pseudocereals such as breadnut, buckwheat, cattail, chia, flax,         grain amaranth, kañiwa, pitseed goosefoot, quinoa or wattleseed         (also called acacia seed);     -   nuts such as for example culinary nuts (including and not         limited to almonds, coconuts, peanuts and cashews) and nuts such         as almond, beech, brazil nut, candlenut, cashew, chestnuts         (including and not limited to Chinese chestnut or sweet         chestnut), coconut, colocynth, Cucurbita ficifolia, filbert,         Gevuina avellana, hickory (including and not limited to pecan or         shagbark hickory), Terminalia catappa, hazelnut, Indian beech,         kola nut, macadamia, Malabar chestnut, pistacia, mamoncillo,         maya nut, mongongo, oak acorns, ogbono nut, paradise nut, pili         nut, walnut (including and not limited to black walnut) or water         caltrop;     -   nut-like gymnosperm seeds such as pine nuts are gymnosperm seeds         that are edible (including and not limited to cycads, ginkgo,         Gnetum gnemon, juniper, monkey-puzzle, pine nuts, or podocarps);     -   other seeds such as cempedak, coffee, egusi, euryale ferox (fox         nut), fluted pumpkin, hemp seed, jackfruit, lotus seed, Malabar         gourd, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, sesame seed or Tahini;     -   beans such as bambara groundnut, chickpeas, cowpeas (including         and not limited to black eyed pea), dry beans, fava or broad         beans, hyacinth bean, lablab, lentils, lupins, Moringa oleifera,         peas, peanuts, pigeon peas, sterculia, velvet beans, winged         beans, yam beans or soybeans;     -   seeds for sprouting, including, but not limited to, pulses or         legumes (such as, but not limited to, alfalfa, clover,         fenugreek, lentil, pea, chickpea, mung bean and soybean; cereals         (such as, but not limited to, oat, wheat, maize (corn), rice,         barley, rye, kamut, quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat; oilseeds         (such as, but not limited to, sesame, sunflower, almond,         hazelnut, linseed, peanut); brassicas or crucifers or cabbage         family (such as, but not limited to, broccoli, cabbage,         watercress, mustard, mizuna, radish, daikon (kaiware), rocket         (arugula), tatsoi and turnip); umbelliferous vegetables or         parsley family (such as, but not limited to, carrot, celery,         fennel, parsley; alliums or onion family (such as, but not         limited to, onion, leek, green onion or me-negi); other         vegetables and herbs (such as, but not limited to, spinach,         lettuce, milk thistle and lemon grass);     -   seed spices including, but not limited to ajwain or carom seeds,         alligator pepper or mbongo spice or mbongochobi or hepper         pepper, allspice, anise, aniseed myrtle, annatto, borage, black         cardamom, black mustard, blue fenugreek or blue melilot, brown         mustard, caraway, cardamom, celery seed, clove, coriander seed,         cumin, dill seed, fennel, fenugreek, grains of paradise, grains         of Selim or Kani pepper, juniper berry, kala zeera or kala jira         or black cumin, kawakawa seeds, keluak or kluwak or kepayang,         kokam seed, korarima or Ethiopian cardamom or false cardamom,         mace, mahlab or Saint Lucie cherry, black mustard seed, brown         mustard seed, white mustard seed, yellow mustard seed, nigella         or kalonji or black caraway or black onion seed, njangsa or         djansang, nutmeg, black pepper seed, green pepper seed, black         pepper seed, white pepper seed, star anise, sumac, Szechuan         pepper or Sichuan pepper, vanilla, wattleseed;     -   seeds of crops transplantable from greenhouse to field,         including but not limited to basil, bell pepper, broccoflower,         broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower,         celery, cucumber, eggplant, head lettuce, honeydew, muskmelon,         onion, radicchio, romaine lettuce, squash, tobacco, tomato,         watermelon; or     -   medical marijuana.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the synergistic compositions defined hereinabove, wherein the seeds are edible post-harvest seeds, spices and grains, and preferably whole dried pear, split pea dried, pea fiber, oregano, vanilla, basil, black pepper, chia, sesame, sprouted flax and chia, flax and hemp, and more preferably hemp, flax and chia seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a first method for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, preferably seeds having external shells, more preferably edible seeds such as hemp, flax and chia seeds, said method comprising a step of contacting said seeds with the first synergistic composition defined hereinabove, wherein the synergistic composition is contacted with seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a second method for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, preferably seeds having external shells, more preferably edible seeds such as hemp, flax and chia seeds, said method comprising a step of contacting said seeds with the second synergistic composition defined hereinabove, wherein the synergistic composition is contacted with seeds in such an amount that said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent represents less than 10% by volume, preferably from 1 to 5% by volume, and more preferably about 2% by volume as final concentration of the at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent admixed with seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a third method for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, preferably seeds having external shells, more preferably edible seeds such as hemp, flax and chia seeds, said method comprising a step of contacting said seeds with the third synergistic composition defined hereinabove, wherein the synergistic composition is contacted with seeds in such an amount that said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent represents less than 10% by volume, preferably from 1 to 5% by volume, and more preferably about 2% by volume as final concentration of the at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent admixed with seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the any one of the methods defined hereinabove, wherein the pathogens selected from the group consisting of viruses, bacteria, fungi, yeasts and moulds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third method defined hereinabove, wherein the pathogens selected from the group consisting of viruses, bacteria, fungi, yeasts and moulds, and further for the prevention of mucilage from seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the methods defined hereinabove, wherein pathogens are bacteria, preferably bacteria are selected from the group consisting of E. Coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp., and more preferably E. coli on hemp seeds and Salmonella on chia seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the methods defined hereinabove, wherein pathogens cause disease in crop plants; said pathogens are bacteria (including but not limited to Agrobacterium spp., Burkholderia spp., Clavibacter spp., Corynebacterium spp., Erwinia spp., Pseudomonas spp., Ralstonia spp., Rhizomonas spp., Xanthomonas spp., and Xylella spp.).

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the methods defined hereinabove, wherein pathogens cause disease in crop plants; said pathogens are fungi (including but not limited to Albugo spp., Alternaria spp., Armillaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Athelia spp., Bipolaris spp., Botryosphaeria spp., Botryotinia spp., Botrytis spp., Bremia spp., Capnodium spp., Ceratobasidium spp., Ceratocystis spp., Cercospora spp., Choanephora spp., Claviceps spp., Corynespora spp., Cronartium spp., Cryphonectria spp., Cylindrocladium spp., Cytospora spp., Diaporthe spp., Dipodia spp., Dreschlera spp., Elsinoe spp., Erexohilum spp., Erysiphe spp., Eutypha spp., Exobasidium spp., Fusarium spp., Gaeumannomyces spp., Gliocladium spp., Gymnosporangium spp., Heterobasidium spp., Hypoxy/on spp., Kutilakesa spp., Lophiodermium spp., Magnaporthe spp., Melampsora spp., Monilinia spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Myrothecia spp., Nectriella spp., Nematospora spp., Oidium spp., Olpidium spp., Ophiostoma spp., Penicillium spp., Peronospora spp., Phakospora spp., Phoma spp., Phomopsis spp., Phragmidium spp., Phyllactinia spp., Physoderma spp., Phytophthora spp., Plasmodiophora spp., Plasmopara spp., Pseudoperonospora spp., Puccinia spp., Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Rhizopus spp., Rhytisma spp., Sclerotinia spp., Sclerotium spp., Spongospora spp., Synchytrium spp., Taphrina spp., Thanatephorus spp., Thielaviopsis spp., Tilletia spp., Uncinula spp., Urocystis spp., Ustilago spp., Valsa spp., Venturia spp., Verticillium spp., and Xylaria spp.).

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the methods defined hereinabove, wherein the seeds are edible seeds, grains raw and/or cooked, seeds of transplantable crops, or seeds for sprouting, such as:

-   -   cereals such as: true cereals which are seeds of certain species         of grass: maize, wheat and rice, said cereal including and being         not limited to barley, fonio, maize (corn), pearl millet, oats,         palmer's grass, rice, rye, sorghum, spelt, teff, triticale,         wheat or wild rice;     -   pseudocereals such as breadnut, buckwheat, cattail, chia, flax,         grain amaranth, kañiwa, pitseed goosefoot, quinoa or wattleseed         (also called acacia seed);     -   nuts such as for example culinary nuts (including and not         limited to almonds, coconuts, peanuts and cashews) and nuts such         as almond, beech, brazil nut, candlenut, cashew, chestnuts         (including and not limited to Chinese chestnut or sweet         chestnut), coconut, colocynth, Cucurbita ficifolia, filbert,         Gevuina avellana, hickory (including and not limited to pecan or         shagbark hickory), Terminalia catappa, hazelnut, Indian beech,         kola nut, macadamia, Malabar chestnut, pistacia, mamoncillo,         maya nut, mongongo, oak acorns, ogbono nut, paradise nut, pili         nut, walnut (including and not limited to black walnut) or water         caltrop;     -   nut-like gymnosperm seeds such as pine nuts are gymnosperm seeds         that are edible (including and not limited to cycads, ginkgo,         Gnetum gnemon, juniper, monkey-puzzle, pine nuts, or podocarps);     -   other seeds such as cempedak, coffee, egusi, euryale ferox (fox         nut), fluted pumpkin, hemp seed, jackfruit, lotus seed, Malabar         gourd, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed or sesame seed;     -   beans such as bambara groundnut, chickpeas, cowpeas (including         and not limited to black eyed pea), dry beans, fava or broad         beans, hyacinth bean, lablab, lentils, lupins, Moringa oleifera,         peas, peanuts, pigeon peas, sterculia, velvet beans, winged         beans, yam beans or soybeans;     -   seeds for sprouting, including, but not limited to, pulses or         legumes (such as, but not limited to, alfalfa, clover,         fenugreek, lentil, pea, chickpea, mung bean and soybean; cereals         (such as, but not limited to, oat, wheat, maize (corn), rice,         barley, rye, kamut, quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat; oilseeds         (such as, but not limited to, sesame, sunflower, almond,         hazelnut, linseed, peanut); brassicas or crucifers or cabbage         family (such as, but not limited to, broccoli, cabbage,         watercress, mustard, mizuna, radish, daikon (kaiware), rocket         (arugula), tatsoi and turnip); umbelliferous vegetables or         parsley family (such as, but not limited to, carrot, celery,         fennel, parsley; alliums or onion family (such as, but not         limited to, onion, leek, green onion or me-negi); other         vegetables and herbs (such as, but not limited to, spinach,         lettuce, milk thistle and lemon grass);     -   seed spices including, but not limited to ajwain or carom seeds,         alligator pepper or mbongo spice or mbongochobi or hepper         pepper, allspice, anise, aniseed myrtle, annatto, borage, black         cardamom, black mustard, blue fenugreek or blue melilot, brown         mustard, caraway, cardamom, celery seed, clove, coriander seed,         cumin, dill seed, fennel, fenugreek, grains of paradise, grains         of Selim or Kani pepper, juniper berry, kala zeera or kala jira         or black cumin, kawakawa seeds, keluak or kluwak or kepayang,         kokam seed, korarima or Ethiopian cardamom or false cardamom,         mace, mahlab or Saint Lucie cherry, black mustard seed, brown         mustard seed, white mustard seed, yellow mustard seed, nigella         or kalonji or black caraway or black onion seed, njangsa or         djansang, nutmeg, black pepper seed, green pepper seed, black         pepper seed, white pepper seed, star anise, sumac, Szechuan         pepper or Sichuan pepper, vanilla, wattleseed;     -   seeds of crops transplantable from greenhouse to field,         including but not limited to basil, bell pepper, broccoflower,         broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower,         celery, cucumber, eggplant, head lettuce, honeydew, muskmelon,         onion, radicchio, romaine lettuce, squash, tobacco, tomato,         watermelon; or     -   medical marijuana.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the methods defined hereinabove, wherein the seeds are seeds of whole dried pear, split pea dried, pea fiber, oregano, vanilla, basil, chia, sesame, sprouted flax and chia, flax and hemp, and more preferably hemp seeds, flax seeds and chia seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the methods defined hereinabove, wherein said synergistic composition is for an application to the seeds by spraying, vaporizing, soaking, fumigating, or electrostatic spraying, preferably spraying.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the methods defined hereinabove, wherein said synergistic composition is for an application to the seeds by spraying and keeping the synergistic composition in contact with the seeds and grains for 2 minutes to 48 hours and preferably 24 hours before drying.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of the methods defined hereinabove, wherein seeds are dried after contact with the synergistic composition and contact time, to reduce the moisture content of the seeds below 10% and further contribute to prevent a regrowth of microorganisms.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a first use of the first synergistic composition defined hereinabove, for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, preferably seeds having external shells, more preferably edible seeds such as hemp seeds, chia seeds and flax seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a second use of the second synergistic composition defined hereinabove, for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, preferably seeds having external shells, more preferably edible seeds such as hemp seeds, chia seeds and flax seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to a third use of the third synergistic composition defined hereinabove, for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, preferably seeds having external shells, more preferably edible seeds such as hemp seeds, chia seeds and flax seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of uses defined hereinabove, wherein the pathogens selected from the group consisting of viruses, bacteria, fungi, yeasts and moulds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the third use defined hereinabove, wherein the pathogens selected from the group consisting of viruses, bacteria, fungi, yeasts and moulds, and further for the prevention of mucilage from seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of uses defined hereinabove, wherein pathogens are bacteria, preferably bacteria are selected from the group consisting of E. Coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp., and more preferably E. coli.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of uses defined hereinabove, wherein pathogens cause disease in crop plants; said pathogens are bacteria (including but not limited to Agrobacterium spp., Burkholderia spp., Clavibacter spp., Corynebacterium spp., Erwinia spp., Pseudomonas spp., Ralstonia spp., Rhizomonas spp., Xanthomonas spp., and Xylella spp.).

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of uses defined hereinabove, wherein pathogens cause disease in crop plants; said pathogens are fungi (including but not limited to Albugo spp., Alternaria spp., Armillaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Athelia spp., Bipolaris spp., Botryosphaeria spp., Botryotinia spp., Botrytis spp., Bremia spp., Capnodium spp., Ceratobasidium spp., Ceratocystis spp., Cercospora spp., Choanephora spp., Claviceps spp., Corynespora spp., Cronartium spp., Cryphonectria spp., Cylindrocladium spp., Cytospora spp., Diaporthe spp., Dipodia spp., Dreschlera spp., Elsinoe spp., Erexohilum spp., Erysiphe spp., Eutypha spp., Exobasidium spp., Fusarium spp., Gaeumannomyces spp., Gliocladium spp., Gymnosporangium spp., Heterobasidium spp., Hypoxylon spp., Kutilakesa spp., Lophiodermium spp., Magnaporthe spp., Melampsora spp., Monilinia spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Myrothecia spp., Nectriella spp., Nematospora spp., Oidium spp., Olpidium spp., Ophiostoma spp., Penicillium spp., Peronospora spp., Phakospora spp., Phoma spp., Phomopsis spp., Phragmidium spp., Phyllactinia spp., Physoderma spp., Phytophthora spp., Plasmodiophora spp., Plasmopara spp., Pseudoperonospora spp., Puccinia spp., Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Rhizopus spp., Rhytisma spp., Sclerotinia spp., Sclerotium spp., Spongospora spp., Synchytrium spp., Taphrina spp., Thanatephorus spp., Thielaviopsis spp., Tilletia spp., Uncinula spp., Urocystis spp., Ustilago spp., Valsa spp., Venturia spp., Verticillium spp., and Xylaria spp.).

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of uses defined hereinabove, wherein the seeds are edible seeds, grains raw and/or cooked, seeds of transplantable crops, or seeds for sprouting, such as:

-   -   cereals such as: true cereals which are seeds of certain species         of grass: maize, wheat and rice, said cereal including and being         not limited to barley, fonio, maize (corn), pearl millet, oats,         palmer's grass, rice, rye, sorghum, spelt, teff, triticale,         wheat or wild rice;     -   pseudocereals such as breadnut, buckwheat, cattail, chia, flax,         grain amaranth, kañiwa, pitseed goosefoot, quinoa or wattleseed         (also called acacia seed);     -   nuts such as for example culinary nuts (including and not         limited to almonds, coconuts, peanuts and cashews) and nuts such         as almond, beech, brazil nut, candlenut, cashew, chestnuts         (including and not limited to Chinese chestnut or sweet         chestnut), coconut, colocynth, Cucurbita ficifolia, filbert,         Gevuina avellana, hickory (including and not limited to pecan or         shagbark hickory), Terminalia catappa, hazelnut, Indian beech,         kola nut, macadamia, Malabar chestnut, pistacia, mamoncillo,         maya nut, mongongo, oak acorns, ogbono nut, paradise nut, pili         nut, walnut (including and not limited to black walnut) or water         caltrop;     -   nut-like gymnosperm seeds such as pine nuts are gymnosperm seeds         that are edible (including and not limited to cycads, ginkgo,         Gnetum gnemon, juniper, monkey-puzzle, pine nuts, or podocarps);     -   other seeds such as cempedak, coffee, egusi, euryale ferox (fox         nut), fluted pumpkin, hemp seed, jackfruit, lotus seed, Malabar         gourd, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed or sesame seed;     -   beans such as bambara groundnut, chickpeas, cowpeas (including         and not limited to black eyed pea), dry beans, fava or broad         beans, hyacinth bean, lablab, lentils, lupins, Moringa oleifera,         peas, peanuts, pigeon peas, sterculia, velvet beans, winged         beans, yam beans or soybeans;     -   seeds for sprouting, including, but not limited to, pulses or         legumes (such as, but not limited to, alfalfa, clover,         fenugreek, lentil, pea, chickpea, mung bean and soybean; cereals         (such as, but not limited to, oat, wheat, maize (corn), rice,         barley, rye, kamut, quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat; oilseeds         (such as, but not limited to, sesame, sunflower, almond,         hazelnut, linseed, peanut); brassicas or crucifers or cabbage         family (such as, but not limited to, broccoli, cabbage,         watercress, mustard, mizuna, radish, daikon (kaiware), rocket         (arugula), tatsoi and turnip); umbelliferous vegetables or         parsley family (such as, but not limited to, carrot, celery,         fennel, parsley; alliums or onion family (such as, but not         limited to, onion, leek, green onion or me-negi); other         vegetables and herbs (such as, but not limited to, spinach,         lettuce, milk thistle and lemon grass);     -   seed spices including, but not limited to ajwain or carom seeds,         alligator pepper or mbongo spice or mbongochobi or hepper         pepper, allspice, anise, aniseed myrtle, annatto, borage, black         cardamom, black mustard, blue fenugreek or blue melilot, brown         mustard, caraway, cardamom, celery seed, clove, coriander seed,         cumin, dill seed, fennel, fenugreek, grains of paradise, grains         of Selim or Kani pepper, juniper berry, kala zeera or kala jira         or black cumin, kawakawa seeds, keluak or kluwak or kepayang,         kokam seed, korarima or Ethiopian cardamom or false cardamom,         mace, mahlab or Saint Lucie cherry, black mustard seed, brown         mustard seed, white mustard seed, yellow mustard seed, nigella         or kalonji or black caraway or black onion seed, njangsa or         djansang, nutmeg, black pepper seed, green pepper seed, black         pepper seed, white pepper seed, star anise, sumac, Szechuan         pepper or Sichuan pepper, vanilla, wattleseed;     -   seeds of crops transplantable from greenhouse to field,         including but not limited to basil, bell pepper, broccoflower,         broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower,         celery, cucumber, eggplant, head lettuce, honeydew, muskmelon,         onion, radicchio, romaine lettuce, squash, tobacco, tomato,         watermelon; or     -   medical marijuana.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of uses defined hereinabove, wherein the seeds are seeds of whole dried pear, split pea dried, pea fiber, oregano, vanilla, basil, chia, sesame, sprouted flax and chia, flax and hemp, and more preferably hemp seeds, flax seeds and chia seeds.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of uses defined hereinabove, wherein said aqueous, synergistic composition is for an application to the seeds by spraying, vaporizing, soaking, fumigating, or electrostatic spraying, preferably spraying.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of uses defined hereinabove, wherein said synergistic composition is for an application to the seeds by spraying and keeping the synergistic composition in contact with the seeds and grains for 2 minutes to 48 hours and preferably 24 hours before drying.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to any one of uses defined hereinabove, wherein seeds are dried after contact with the synergistic composition and contact time, to reduce the moisture content of the seeds below 10% and further contribute to prevent a regrowth of microorganisms.

According to another embodiment of the invention relates to the use defined hereinabove, wherein said aqueous, synergistic composition is for an application to the seeds by spraying, vaporizing, soaking, fumigating, or electrostatic spraying, preferably spraying. Of course, said spraying, vaporizing, soaking, fumigating or electrostatic spraying can be carried out according to any conventional technics well known to the person skilled in the art.

According to another embodiment, the composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) or the powdered composition of water-soluble ingredients (PCWSI), may further comprises a plant defence enhancer selected from the group consisting of at least one pesticide comprising a water soluble silicate salt , at least one biopesticide comprising a water soluble silicate salt , acibenzolar-S-methyl, silica/silicate, DL-α-amino-n-butyric acid (AABA), DL-β-amino-n-butyric acid (BABA), γ-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA), p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), riboflavin, salicylic acid (SA), and Harpin protein (messenger).

According to another embodiment, the composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) or the powdered composition of water-soluble ingredients (PCWSI), may further comprises a sequestering agent, preferably in amounts ranging from 0.01 to 10% w/w, relative to the total weight of said composition.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the powdered composition defined hereinabove, wherein the acetylating agent is an organic acid containing at least one acyl group which is susceptible to perhydrolysis.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the powdered composition defined hereinabove, wherein the acetylating agent is a N-acyl compound or a O-acyl compound containing an acyl radical R¹—CO— wherein R¹ is an aliphatic group having from 5 to 18 carbon atoms, or an alkylaryl group having from 11 to 24 carbon atoms, with 5 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. Preferably, Fe is an aliphatic group having from 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the wetting agent is Bio-Terge® AS-90 (a surfactant) consisting of an alpha olefin sulfonate having from 12 to 18 carbon atoms.

For example, the powdered composition of water-soluble ingredients defined hereinabove, can be mixed with water at a concentration of 0.4 to 0.6% (4 to 6 Kg of formula diluted in potable water (i.e. 40L) in order to sanitize 1 ton of edible seeds (i.e. hemp seeds). To do so, according to a particularly preferred aspect of the invention, first the above mentioned the powdered composition of water-soluble ingredients was dissolved in water and mixed for at least 10 minutes, and then the solution obtained was applied to the seeds to be treated. Then seeds were kept in contact with the solution for 2 to 5 minutes, and preferably then rinsed thoroughly with abundant potable water and finally the seeds were dried very well.

It is to be noted that according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a contact time of 2 minutes reveals to be sufficient for reducing the total population of bacteria present on seeds surface to below 1 million CFU per gram and reduce the E. coli, coliforms, yeast and mould to undetectable levels.

Alternatively, in the case some edible seeds such as flax, cannot tolerate water; other types of spraying with no added water can be used. In such case, for example fumigation and electrostatic spraying may be preferred. According to an embodiment of the invention, fogging and electrostatic spraying are preferred. Indeed, fogging and electrostatic spraying reduce the water particle size to produce smaller droplets that do not alter the external shell of the seed. Of course, said spraying, vaporizing, soaking, fumigating or electrostatic spraying can be carried out according to any conventional technics well known to the person skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood with reference to the following preferred drawing illustrating particularly preferred and non-limitative embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 1 to 3 represent results obtained according to Example 2, and

FIGS. 4 to 6 represent results obtained according to Example 3.

More particularly preferred embodiments of the invention will be illustrated in the following examples.

EXAMPLE #1 Protocols for Seeds, Grains and Spices Sanitation I—Preparation of Different Solutions

1. Wetting Agent (i.e. Surfactant) Preparation:

Description:

APG® 325 is a liquid wetting agent (i.e. a surfactant) composed of alkyl polyglycoside and derived from natural sources. It is a foaming surfactant.

Preparation:

5 g of liquid APG 325 surfactant were diluted in 1 L water, and mixed for 5 minutes, to make 0.5% solution of wetting agent (i.e. surfactant).

2. Alcohol Preparation: Description:

A food-grade alcohol based on ethanol at 94% concentration minimum (provided by Greenfield Ethanol).

Preparation:

100 ml of the above-mentioned ethanol were diluted in 100 ml water to a make a 50% food grade ethanol.

3. Powdered Peracetic Acid Preparation without Surfactant:

Description:

A blend of sodium percarbonate (62% w/w), TAED (20% w/w) and citric acid (18% w/w) that generates peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide in-situ. It is a non-foaming solution and free of surface-active agents. This Powdered PAA is equivalent to 10% peracetic acid.

Preparation:

100 g of Powdered PAA was dissolved in 1 L water and mixed for 10-15 min until peracetic acid is generated in-situ. Both peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide can be tested via Lamotte test kit code 7191-02. This solution was to be used within 6 hours to maintain a high concentration of peracetic acid.

4. Neo Pure Preparation: Description:

Neo Pure is a powdered composition that generates peracetic acid in-situ via TAED, sodium percarbonate and citric acid mixture. Also, it generates hydrogen peroxide and contains a poylglycoside wetting agent (i.e. a surfactant). Neo Pure is equivalent to 10% peracetic acid. More particularly, the Neo Pure had the following formulation:

Sodium percarbonate 58% w/w Tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) 20% w/w Citric acid (food-grade) 18% w/w Glucooon 50 G surfactant (alkylpolyglycoside)  4% w/w Total 100%

Preparation:

100 g of Neo Pure was dissolved in 1 L water and mixed for 10-15 min until peracetic acid was generated in-situ. Both peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide can be tested via Lamotte test kit code 7191-02. This solution was to be used within 6 hours to maintain a high concentration of peracetic acid.

5. Neo Pure Preparation with Alcohol:

Description:

Neo Pure is a powdered composition that generates peracetic acid in-situ via TAED, sodium percarbonate and citric acid mixture. Also it generates hydrogen peroxide and contains a poylglycoside wetting agent (i.e. a surfactant). Neo Pure is equivalent to 10% peracetic acid.

Preparation:

100 g of Neo Pure were dissolved in 1 L water and mixed for 10-15 min until peracetic acid was generated in-situ. Then, 100 ml of the solution so obtained was mixed with 100 ml ethanol 94% for 10 minutes. More particularly, the Neo Pure had the following formulation:

6. Liquid Peracetic Acid Preparation Without Wetting Agent: Description:

PERCID is a CFIA approved liquid preformed peracetic acid. PERCID is a concentrated 5% peracetic acid formula composed of mixing liquid acetic acid with liquid hydrogen peroxide.

Preparation:

200 ml of PERCID was dissolved in 1 L water and mixed for 5 minutes. A non-foaming solution free of surface-active agents such as a wetting agent, was obtained.

7. Liquid Peracetic Acid Preparation with a Wetting Agent (i.e. a Surfactant):

Description:

PERCID is a CFIA approved liquid preformed peracetic acid. Percid is a concentrated 5% peracetic acid formula composed of mixing liquid acetic acid with liquid hydrogen peroxide. PERCID solution is mixed a liquid wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) APG 325.

Preparation:

200 ml of PERCID was dissolved in 1 L water and mixed for 5 minutes. Then, 5 g of APG® 325 was added to the solution so obtained, and mixed for 5 minutes. A foaming PAA solution was obtained.

8. Liquid Peracetic Acid Preparation with Wetting Agent (i.e. Surfactant) and Alcohol:

Description:

PERCID is a CFIA approved liquid preformed peracetic acid. PERCID is a concentrated 5% peracetic acid formula composed of mixing liquid acetic acid with liquid hydrogen peroxide. PERCID solution is mixed a liquid wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) APG® 325.

Preparation:

200 ml of PERCID was dissolved in 1 L water, and mixed for 5 minutes. Then, 5g of APG® 325 were added to the resulting solution, and mixed for 5 minutes.A foaming PAA solution was obtained. Then, 100 ml of this foaming PAA was mixed with 100 ml ethanol 94% for 10 minutes, to provide the liquid peracetic acid preparation with wetting agent and alcohol.

9. Powdered Peracetic Acid Preparation with Alcohol:

Description:

A blend of sodium percarbonate (62%), TAED (20%) and citric acid (18%) that generates peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide in-situ. It is a non-foaming solution and free of surface active agents. This powdered PAA is equivalent to 10% peracetic acid.

Preparation:

100 g of Powdered PAA were dissolved in 1 L water, and mixed for 10-15 min until peracetic acid is generated in-situ. Then, 100 ml of the solution so obtained was mixed with 100 ml ethanol 94% for 10 minutes.

10. Liquid Peracetic Acid Preparation with Alcohol:

Description:

PERCID is a CFIA approved liquid preformed peracetic acid. PERCID is a concentrated 5% peracetic acid formula composed of mixing liquid acetic acid with liquid hydrogen peroxide.

Preparation:

200 ml of PERCID were dissolved in 1 L water, and mixed for 5 minutes. A non-foaming PAA solution was obtained. Then, 100 ml of this non-foaming PAA was mixed with 100 ml Ethanol 94% for 10 minutes, to provide the liquid peracetic acid preparation with alcohol.

II—Preparation of Different Seeds Grains.

Seeds were mechanically cleaned and spread in stainless steel containers. Each 100 grams seeds were sprayed with 4 ml total solutions descried above via conventional trigger vaporizer. This solution is equivalent to 40 L disinfecting solution total sprayed on 1-ton seeds. Seeds, grains and spices were selected to represent all families and types of seeds, grains and spices. Another criteria was to select seeds and grains contaminated with a high count of total aerobic bacteria, yeast, mold, E. coli, Salmonella sp. and other pathogenic microorganisms.

Seeds, grains and spices treated were:

-   -   Whole dried pea,     -   Split pea dried,     -   Pea fiber,     -   Vanilla,     -   Chia,     -   Sprouted flax and chia,     -   Flax,     -   Hemp, and     -   Black pepper seeds

III—RESULTS on Whole Dried Pea

Total count Aerobic - Physical Treatments CFU/g bacteria Characteristics Organoleptic 0- Untreated Av = 800,000 No effect No effect n1 = 700,000 n2 = 890,000 Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1000/n2 = 1000 1- Wetting agent APG 325 Av = 925,000 No effect No effect 0.5% n1 = 850,000 n2 = 1 million Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1000/n2 = 1000 2- Alcohol - ethanol Av = 900,000 No effect No effect 50% n1 = 800,000 n2 = 1 million Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 3- Powdered PAA Alone Av = 300,000 No effect No effect 4 kg/40 L n1 = 250,000 n2 = 350,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 4- Neo Pure Av = 150,000 No effect No effect 4 kg/40 L n1 = 170,000 n2 = 130,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 5- Neo Pure + alcohol Av = 60,000 No effect No effect 2 kg/20 L + 20 L n1 = 60,000 n2 = 60,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 6- Percid -Liquid PAA alone Av = 250,000 No effect No effect 8 L/40 L n1 = 230,000 n2 = 270,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 7- Percid -Liquid PAA Av = 50,000 No effect No effect 8 L/40 L + wetting agent n1 = 80,000 n2 = 20,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 8- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 5,000 No effect No effect wetting agent + alcohol (94%) n1 = 5,000 4 L/20 L + 20 L ethanol + n2 = 5,000 wetting agent Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 9- Powdered PAA + Av = 70,000 No effect No effect alcohol (94%) n1 = 85,000 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol n2 = 55,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 10- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 60,000 No effect No effect alcohol n1 = 80,000 4 L/20 L + 20 L ethanol n2 = 40,000 (94%) Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected

Conclusion:

-   -   The polyglycoside wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) was not         bactericidal and can act as a food source for the bacteria     -   Alcohol (50% concentration) applied at ratio of 40 L per 1 ton         peas was not a strong bactericidal agent.     -   Peracetic acid either preformed via liquid formulations or         in-situ generated via powdered formulations, showed to be a         strong bactericidal agent and reduced the level of bacteria,         yeast and mold significantly.     -   Wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) combined to peracetic acid         formulations increased the efficiency of the oxidizer and showed         to be synergistic with peracetic acid.     -   Alcohol (ethanol) combined to peracetic acid formulations         increased the efficiency of the oxidizer and showed to be         synergistic with peracetic acid.     -   Both alcohol and wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) increase the         coverage of peracetic acid and help this limited amount of         solution (40 L per 1 ton seed) to cover better the seeds and         penetrate the seeds and target microorganisms. They showed a         synergistic effect that is higher that the one of the peracetic         acid with a wetting agent or the peracetic acid with an alcohol.

IV—Results on Whole Split Pea

Total count Aerobic Physical Treatments CFU/g bacteria Characteristics Organoleptic 0- Untreated Av = 800,000 No effect No effect n1 = 750,000 n2 = 850,000 Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1000/n2 = 1000 1- Wetting agent APG 325 Av = 900,000 No effect No effect 0.5% n1 = 930,000 n2 = 870,000 Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1000/n2 = 1000 2- Alcohol - ethanol Av = 700,000 No effect No effect 50% n1 = 700,000 n2 = 700,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 3- Powdered PAA Alone Av = 400,000 No effect No effect 4 kg/40 L n1 = 430,000 n2 = 370,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 4- Neo Pure Av = 350,000 No effect No effect 4 kg/40 L n1 = 450,000 n2 = 250,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 5- Neo Pure + alcohol Av = 100,000 No effect No effect 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol (94%) n1 = 80,000 n2 = 120,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 6- Percid -Liquid PAA alone Av = 300,000 No effect No effect 8 L/40 L n1 = 400,000 n2 = 200,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 7- Percid -Liquid PAA Av = 200,000 No effect No effect 8 L/40 L + wetting agent n1 = 200,000 n2 = 200,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 8- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 50,000 No effect No effect wetting agent + alcohol (94%) n1 = 80,000 4 L/20 L + 20 L ethanol + n2 = 30,000 wetting agent Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 9- Powdered PAA + Av = 150,000 No effect No effect alcohol (94%) n1 = 200,000 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol n2 = 100,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 10- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 150,000 No effect No effect alcohol 4 L/20 L + n1 = 130,000 20 L ethanol (94%) n2 = 170,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected

Conclusion:

-   -   The polyglycoside wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) was not         bactericidal and can act as a food source for the bacteria     -   Alcohol (50% concentration) applied at ratio of 40 L per 1 ton         peas was not a strong bactericidal agent on split pea.     -   Peracetic acid either preformed via liquid formulations or         in-situ generated via powdered formulations, was a strong         bactericidal agent and reduce the level of bacteria, yeast and         mold significantly.     -   Wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) combined to peracetic acid         formulations increased the efficiency of the oxidizer and showed         to be synergistic with peracetic acid.     -   Alcohol (ethanol) combined to peracetic acid formulations         increased the efficiency of the oxidizer and thus showed to be         synergistic with peracetic acid.     -   Both alcohol and wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) increased the         coverage of peracetic acid and helped this limited amount of         solution (40L per 1 ton seed) to cover better the seeds and         penetrate the seeds and target microorganisms. They showed a         synergistic effect that is higher that the one of the peracetic         acid with a wetting agent or the peracetic acid with an alcohol.

V—Results on Pea Fiber

Total count Aerobic Physical Treatments CFU/g bacteria Characteristics Organoleptic 0- Untreated Av = 900,000 No effect No effect n1 = 700,000 n2 = 1.1 million Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1000/n2 = 1000 1- Surfactant APG 325 Av = 900,000 No effect No effect 0.5% n1 = 850,000 n2 = 950,000 Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1000/n2 = 1000 2- Alcohol - ethanol Av = 700,000 No effect No effect 50% n1 = 500,000 n2 = 900,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 3- Powdered PAA Alone Av = 500,000 No effect No effect 4 kg/40 L n1 = 700,000 n2 = 300,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 4- Neo Pure Av = 500,000 No effect No effect 4 kg/40 L n1 = 450,000 n2 = 550,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 5- Neo Pure + alcohol Av = 250,000 No effect No effect 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol (94%) n1 = 200,000 n2 = 300,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 6- Percid -Liquid PAA alone Av = 600,000 No effect No effect 8 L/40 L n1 = 600,000 n2 = 600,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 7- Percid -Liquid PAA Av = 400,000 No effect No effect 8 L/40 L + surfactant n1 = 500,000 n2 = 300,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 8- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 300,000 No effect No effect surfactant + alcohol (94%) n1 = 330,000 4 L/20 L + 20 L ethanol + n2 = 270,000 surfactant Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 9- Powdered PAA + Av = 300,000 No effect No effect alcohol (94%) n1 = 400,000 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol n2 = 200,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 10- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 450,000 No effect No effect alcohol 4 L/20 L + n1 = 600,000 20 L ethanol (94%) n2 = 300,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected

Conclusion:

-   -   The solution affected the fiber pea size due to humidity.         However, drying can restore the size of fiber pea as the         untreated.     -   The polyglycoside wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) was not         bactericidal and can act as a food source for the bacteria     -   Alcohol (50% concentration) applied at ratio of 40 L per 1 ton         peas was not a strong bactericidal agent on pea fiber at used         concentration (i.e. 40 L of alcohol 50% active per 1 ton).     -   Peracetic acid either preformed via liquid formulations or         in-situ generated via powdered formulations, was a strong         bactericidal agent and reduced the level of bacteria, yeast and         mold significantly.     -   Wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) combined to peracetic acid         formulation increased the efficiency of the oxidizer and thus         showed to be synergistic with peracetic acid.     -   Alcohol (ethanol) combined to peracetic acid formulations         increases the efficiency of the oxidizer and thus showed to be         synergistic with peracetic acid.     -   Both alcohol and wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) increased the         coverage of peracetic acid and helped this limited amount of         solution (40 L per 1 ton seed) to cover better the seeds and         penetrate the seeds and target microorganisms. They showed a         synergistic effect that is higher that the one of the peracetic         acid with a wetting agent or the peracetic acid with an alcohol.

VI—Results on Vanilla

Total count Aerobic Physical Treatments CFU/g bacteria Characteristics Organoleptic 0- Untreated Av = 2 millions No effect No effect n1 = 1.5 millions n2 = 2.5 millions Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1000/n2 = 1000 1- Wetting agent APG 325 Av = 2 millions No effect No effect 0.5% n1 = 1.3 millions n2 = 2.7 millions Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1000/n2 = 1000 2- Alcohol - ethanol Av = 1 million No effect No effect 50% n1 = 1 million n2 = 1 million Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1000/n2 = 1000 3- Powdered PAA Alone Av = 900,000 No effect No effect 4 kg/40 L n1 = 600,000 n2 = 1.2 millions Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 4- Neo Pure Av = 500,000 No effect No effect 4 kg/40 L n1 = 600,000 n2 = 400,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 5- Neo Pure + alcohol Av = 200,000 No effect No effect 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol (94%) n1 = 150,000 n2 = 250,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 6- Percid -Liquid PAA alone Av = 500,000 No effect No effect 8 L/40 L n1 = 600,000 n2 = 400,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 7- Percid -Liquid PAA Av = 300,000 No effect No effect 8 L/40 L + wetting agent n1 = 320,000 n2 = 280,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 8- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 300,000 No effect No effect wetting agent + alcohol (94%) n1 = 310,000 4 L/20 L + 20 L ethanol + n2 = 290,000 wetting agent Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 9- Powdered PAA + Av = 300,000 No effect No effect alcohol (94%) n1 = 300,000 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol n2 = 300,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 10- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 300,000 No effect No effect alcohol 4 L/20 L + n1 = 330,000 20 L ethanol (94%) n2 = 270,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected

Conclusion:

-   -   The solutions were sprayed on vanilla as received in rod shaped         to reduced the level of total aerobic count.     -   The polyglycoside wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) was not         bactericidal and can act as a food source for the bacteria     -   Alcohol (50% concentration) applied at ratio of 40 L per 1 ton         vanilla was not a strong bactericidal agent on vanilla.     -   Peracetic acid either preformed via liquid formulations or         in-situ generated via powdered formulations, was a strong         bactericidal agent and reduced the level of bacteria, yeast and         mold significantly.     -   Wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) combined to peracetic acid         formulations increased the efficiency of the oxidizer and thus         showed to be synergistic with peracetic acid.     -   Alcohol (ethanol) combined to peracetic acid formulations         increased the efficiency of the oxidizer and thus showed to be         synergistic with peracetic acid.     -   Both alcohol and wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) increased the         coverage of peracetic acid and helped this limited amount of         solution (40 L per 1 ton seed) to cover better the seeds and         penetrate the seeds and target microorganisms. They showed a         synergistic effect that is higher that the one of the peracetic         acid with a wetting agent or the peracetic acid with an alcohol.

VII—Results on Chia Seeds

Total count Aerobic Physical Treatments CFU/g bacteria Characteristics Organoleptic 0- Untreated Av = 1 million Mucilage No effect n1 = 1.1 million observed n2 = 900,000 Av = 10,000 Y&M n1 = 10,000/n2 = 10,000 1- Wetting agent APG 325 Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 0.5% mucilage observed observed 2- Alcohol - ethanol Av = 510,000 No mucilage No mucilage 50% n1 = 520,000 n2 = 500,000 Av = 10,000 Y&M n1 = 10,000/n2 = 10,000 3- Powdered PAA Alone Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 4 kg/40 L mucilage observed observed 4- Neo Pure Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 4 kg/40 L mucilage observed observed 5- Neo Pure + alcohol Av = 300,000 No mucilage No effect. 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol (94%) n1 = 330,000 n2 = 270,000 Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1,000/n2 = 1,000 6- Percid -Liquid PAA alone Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 8 L/40 L mucilage observed observed 7- Percid -Liquid PAA Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 8 L/40 L + wetting agent mucilage observed observed 8- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 300,000 No mucilage No effect. wetting agent + alcohol (94%) n1 = 350,000 4 L/20 L + 20 L ethanol + n2 = 250,000 surfactant Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1,000/n2 = 1,000 9- Powdered PAA + Av = 400,000 No mucilage No effect. alcohol (94%) n1 = 420,000 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol n2 = 380,000 Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1,000/n2 = 1,000 10- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 200,000 No mucilage No effect. alcohol 4 L/20 L + n1 = 150,000 20 L ethanol (94%) n2 = 250,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected

Conclusion:

-   -   The presence of alcohol prevents the release of mucilage.     -   The PAA in 50% Alcohol seems efficacious in reducing bacteria         and yeast.

VIII—Results on Flax Seeds

Total count Aerobic Physical Treatments CFU/g bacteria Characteristics Organoleptic 0- Untreated Av = 5 millions Mucilage No effect n1 = 6.5 millions observed n2 = 3.5 millions Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1,000/n2 = 1,000 1- Wetting agent APG 325 Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 0.5% mucilage observed observed 2- Alcohol - ethanol Av = 2 millions No mucilage No mucilage 50% n1 = 1.8 millions n2 = 2.2 millions Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1,000/n2 = 1,000 3- Powdered PAA Alone Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 4 kg/40 L mucilage observed observed 4- Neo Pure Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 4 kg/40 L mucilage observed observed 5- Neo Pure + alcohol Av = 1 million No mucilage No effect. 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol (94%) n1 = 1 million n2 = 1 million Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 6- Percid -Liquid PAA alone Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 8 L/40 L mucilage observed observed 7- Percid -Liquid PAA Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 8 L/40 L + wetting agentt mucilage observed observed 8- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 700,000 No mucilage No effect. wetting agent + alcohol (94%) n1 = 850,000 4 L/20 L + 20 L ethanol + n2 = 550,000 surfactant Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 9- Powdered PAA + alcohol (94%) Av = 900,000 No mucilage No effect. 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol n1 = 915,000 n2 = 885,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 10- Percid -Liquid PAA + alcohol Av = 800,000 No mucilage No effect. 4 L/20 L + 20 L ethanol (94%) n1 = 800,000 n2 = 800,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected

Conclusion:

-   -   The presence of alcohol showed to prevent the release of         mucilage.     -   Macroscopically, mucilage was not observed with seeds treated         with alcohol.     -   The PAA in 50% Alcohol showed to be efficacious in reducing         bacteria and yeast.

IX—Results on Sprouted Flax and Chia

Total count Aerobic Physical Treatments CFU/g bacteria Characteristics Organoleptic 0- Untreated Av = 2 millions Mucilage No effect n1 = 2.5 millions observed, n2 = 1.5 millions very wet Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1,000/n2 = 1,000 1- Wetting agent APG 325 Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 0.5% mucilage observed observed 2- Alcohol - ethanol Av = 600,000 No mucilage No mucilage 50% n1 = 550,000 n2 = 650,000 Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1,000/n2 = 1,000 3- Powdered PAA Alone Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 4 kg/40 L mucilage observed observed 4- Neo Pure Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 4 kg/40 L mucilage observed observed 5- Neo Pure + alcohol Av = 200,000 No mucilage No effect. 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol (94%) n1 = 220,000 n2 = 180,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 6- Percid -Liquid PAA alone Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 8 L/40 L mucilage observed observed 7- Percid -Liquid PAA Not tested due to Mucilage Mucilage 8 L/40 L + wetting agent mucilage observed observed 8- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 500,000 No mucilage No effect. wetting agent + alcohol (94%) n1 = 525,000 4 L/20 L + 20 L ethanol + n2 = 475,000 wetting agent Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 9- Powdered PAA + alcohol (94%) Av = 600,000 No mucilage No effect. 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol n1 = 600,000 n2 = 600,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 10- Percid -Liquid PAA + alcohol Av = 600,000 No mucilage No effect. 4 L/20 L + 20 L ethanol (94%) n1 = 500,000 n2 = 700,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected

Conclusion:

-   -   Humidity including alcohol solution may affect the sprouted flax         and chia. It should be dried well.     -   The presence of alcohol showed to prevent the release of         mucilage     -   Alcohol showed to act as a bactericidal agent but not very         strong.     -   The PAA in 50% Alcohol showed to be efficacious in reducing         bacteria and yeast.     -   Macroscopically, mucilage was not observed with seeds treated         with alcohol.

X—Results on Hemp

Total count Aerobic Physical Treatments CFU/g bacteria Characteristics Organoleptic 0- Untreated Av = 2 millions No effect No effect n1 = 1.7 millions n2 = 2.3 millions Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1000/n2 = 1000 1- Wetting agent APG 325 Av = 2 millions No effect No effect 0.5% n1 = 1.5 millions n2 = 2.5 millions Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1000/n2 = 1000 2- Alcohol - ethanol Av = 1 million No effect No effect 50% n1 = 800,000 n2 = 1.2 millions Av = 1,000 Y&M n1 = 1000/n2 = 1000 3- Powdered PAA Alone Av = 500,000 No effect No effect 4 kg/40 L n1 = 600,000 n2 = 400,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 4- Neo Pure Av = 300,000 No effect No effect 4 kg/40 L n1 = 300,000 n2 = 300,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 5- Neo Pure + alcohol Av = 100,000 No effect No effect 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol (94%) n1 = 120,000 n2 = 80,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 6- Percid -Liquid PAA alone Av = 310,000 No effect No effect 8 L/40 L n1 = 300,000 n2 = 320,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 7- Percid -Liquid PAA Av = 300,000 No effect No effect 8 L/40 L + wetting agent n1 = 320,000 n2 = 280,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 8- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 200,000 No effect No effect wetting agent + alcohol (94%) n1 = 100,000 4 L/20 L + 20 L ethanol + n2 = 300,000 surfactant Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 9- Powdered PAA + alcohol (94%) Av = 200,000 No effect No effect 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol n1 = 200,000 n2 = 200,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected 10- Percid -Liquid PAA + alcohol Av = 300,000 No effect No effect 4 L/20 L + 20 L ethanol (94%) n1 = 330,000 n2 = 270,000 Y&M not detected n1, n2 not detected

Conclusion:

-   -   The above-mentioned solutions were sprayed on hemp seeds to         achieve a reduction of the level of total aerobic count.     -   The polyglycoside wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) was not         bactericidal.     -   Alcohol (50% concentration) applied at ratio of 40 L per 1 ton         hemp seed was not a strong bactericidal agent on hemp.     -   Peracetic acid either preformed via liquid formulations or         in-situ generated via powdered formulations, was a strong         bactericidal agent and reduced the level of bacteria, yeast and         mold significantly.     -   Wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) combined to peracetic acid         formulations increased the efficiency of the oxidizer and thus         showed to be synergistic with peracetic acid.     -   Alcohol (ethanol) combined to peracetic acid formulations         increased the efficiency of the oxidizer and thus showed to be         synergistic with peracetic acid.     -   Both alcohol and surfactant increase the coverage of peracetic         acid and help this limited amount of solution (40 L per 1 ton         seed) to cover better the seeds and penetrate the seeds and         target microorganisms. They showed a synergistic effect that is         higher that the one of the peracetic acid with a wetting agent         or the peracetic acid with an alcohol.

XI—Results on Black Pepper

Total count Aerobic Physical Treatments CFU/g bacteria Characteristics Organoleptic 0- Untreated Av = 1.5 millions No effect No effect Av = 3,000 Y&M 1- Surfactant APG 325 Av = 1.7 millions No effect No effect 0.5% Av = 3,000 Y&M 2- Alcohol - ethanol Av = 1 million No effect No effect 50% Av = 1,000 Y&M 3- Powdered PAA Alone Av = 500,000 No effect No effect 4 kg/40 L Av = 100 Y&M 4- Neo Pure Av = 480,000 No effect No effect 4 kg/40 L Av = 100 Y&M 5- Neo Pure + alcohol Av = 370,000 No effect No effect 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol (94%) Av = 100 Y&M 6- Percid -Liquid PAA alone Av = 460,000 No effect No effect 8 L/40 L Y&M not detected 7- Percid -Liquid PAA Av = 400,000 No effect No effect 8 L/40 L + surfactant Y&M not detected 8- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 380,000 No effect No effect surfactant + alcohol (94%) Y&M not detected 4 L/20 L + 20 L ethanol + surfactant 9- Powdered PAA + Av = 400,000 No effect No effect alcohol (94%) Y&M not detected 2 kg/20 L + 20 L ethanol 10- Percid -Liquid PAA + Av = 380,000 No effect No effect alcohol 4 L/20 L + Y&M not detected 20 L ethanol (94%)

Conclusion:

-   -   The disinfecting solutions sprayed on black pepper seeds, can         reduce the level of total aerobic count.     -   The polyglycoside surfactant is not bactericidal.     -   Alcohol (50% concentration) applied at ratio of 40 L per 1 ton         Black pepper seed is not a strong bactericidal agent on hemp.     -   Peracetic acid either preformed via liquid formulations or         in-situ generated via powdered formulations, is a strong         bactericidal agent and reduce the level of bacteria, yeast and         mold significantly.     -   Alcohol (ethanol) combined to peracetic acid formulations         increases the efficiency of the oxidizer and thus is synergistic         with peracetic acid.     -   Both alcohol and surfactant increase the coverage of peracetic         acid and help this limited amount of solution (40 L per 1 ton         seed) to cover better the seeds and penetrate the seeds and         target microorganisms.

EXAMPLE 2 A Trial Assessing the Efficacy of Powdered Formula (Powdered PAA with a Wetting Agent) in the Surface Disinfection of Hemp Seeds in a Grain Conditioning Facility Protocol:

Several tons of hemp seeds were cleaned mechanically using regular grain conditioning equipment. The total bacterial count was determined to be about 18 million CFU/g (before mechanical cleaning and separation). After mechanical cleaning, the total bacterial count was found to be about 2 million CFU/g. This microbial load does not comply with the market standard which is 1 million CFU/g.

Treatment with Peracetic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide Without an Alcohol and/or a Wetting Agent:

Hemp seeds (with a microbial load of about 2 million CFU/g) were sanitized with a powdered product based on sodium percarbonate, TAED and citric acid that generates peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide in situ. An equivalent of 4 Kg of this formula were dissolved in potable water and mixed thoroughly for 10 minutes and then applied to 1 ton of hemp seeds and allowed to remain in contact with them for 30 minutes. The seeds were thoroughly dried after the treatment. The results did not show a significant reduction in microbial load as compared to untreated seeds (2 million CFU/g). These results were not satisfactory. In addition, coliforms, E. coli, yeast and mould were detected. The powdered formulation that generates PAA in-situ was based on 70% w/w sodium percarbonate, mixed with 20% w/w TAED and mixed with 10% citric acid.

Treatment with Formula (Peracetic acid Generated In-Situ with a Wetting Agent):

1 ton of cleaned hemp seeds (2 million CFU per gram) were sanitized with a 0.4% concentration (4 kg of formula 18/18). Said formula 18/18 is powdered formulation is based on 40% sodium percarbonate, mixed with 20% TAED; mixed with 18% potassium silicate; mixed with 18% EDTA acid; and finally mixed with 4% Bioterge AS 90 surfactant. The 4 Kg were diluted in 40 L water and were mixed thoroughly for 10 minutes and then applied to treat 1 ton of hemp seed for 30 minutes, then the treated seeds were dried very well as per the grain conditioner process. The results showed a reduction in total bacterial count to 54,000 CFU per gram. These results were satisfactory and complied with the market standards. Coliforms, E. coli, yeast and mould were not detected.

Conclusions:

Based on the results shown above, there was noted a synergy between oxidizers (i.e. peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide) and wetting agent (i.e. surfactant) in reducing the populations of human pathogens on edible seeds.

EXAMPLE 3 Determination of Contact-Time Efficacy of Powdered PAA Combined with Alcohol and a Wetting Agent

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the effective contact-time of the sanitizing solutions (PAA with an alcohol and a wetting agent) sprayed on hemp seeds in controlling pathogens.

Protocol: 1 kg of hemp seeds per mix was treated with 50 ml of solution by applying small amounts at a time using a hand sprayer and mixing thoroughly in between. Batches were stored in 3.3 L containers at room temperature with lids on to avoid loss of moisture due to evaporation.

Solutions Used:

-   -   Neo-Pure (5%), (50 g Neo Pure dissolved in 1 L water and mixed         for 15 minutes)     -   Neo-Pure / Ethanol (5% Neo Pure dissolved in 50% water/50%         alcohol),     -   Mock (H₂O)         Samples were taken at the indicated time points and plated         immediately with the exception of the +1 hr time point in the         experiment of 8/25 (This sample was taken at +1 hr but stored at         4° C. o/n and plated the next morning).

Results

Batch treatment 2014 Aug. 25 Triplicates! +1 hr +21 hrs +48 hrs +72 hrs UTC 786,000 3,200,000 620,000 890,000 mock 701,000 793,000 400,000 765,000 Neo-Pure 1,000,000 195,000 272,000 101,000 Neo-Pure EtOH 182,000 23,000 22,000 73,000 UTC means untreated and aforesaid data were reported on FIGS. 1 to 3.

Batch treatment 2014 Sep. 10 Pentuplicates starting point +3 hr o/n +24 hrs +48 hrs UTC 12,700,000 Neo- 17,700,000 8,400,000 2,660,000 4,520,000 Pure Neo- 2,400,000 1,600,000 1,600,000 1,480,000 Pure EtOH UTC means untreated and aforesaid data were reported on FIGS. 4 to 6.

Conclusions:

-   -   Under lab conditions (room temperature: 20° C. to 27° C.) the         efficacy of both Neo-Pure only and Neo-Pure+EtOH increased         significantly with longer incubation times (≧24 hours)     -   This effect was much more prominent at the beginning of the         treatment with Neo-Pure only. However, it was noted that no         significant regrowth of bacteria was observed within the first         48 hours post treatment if EtOH was present.     -   Once seeds were treated with PAA+alcohol and/or wetting agent,         the sanitizing solution continues to work for hours and reduce         the population of bacteria. However, after 48 hrs, seeds had to         be dried to reduce the moisture content below 10% in order to         prevent regrowth of microorganisms. A moisture content below 10%         is a usual standard of the industry to prevent a growth of         microorganisms.

It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the present invention and scope of the appended claims. 

1.-80. (canceled)
 81. A composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) which when solubilized in water (W) and at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent, forms a synergistic composition for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, wherein said composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is to be dissolved in water in a weight ratio (CWSI)/(W) in the range from 1:100 to 1:4; wherein (i) said composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is: a liquid preformed peracetic acid, or an in situ generated peracetic acid obtained from a powdered composition of water-soluble ingredients (PCWSI) defining a peracetic acid precursor and consisting of a dry, mixture of: (i)-a) 30-60% w/w of a solid hydrogen peroxide precursor; (i)-b) 10-40% w/w of a pH adjusting agent which is an organic acid or an inorganic acid; and (i)-c) 10-40% w/w of an acetylating agent; and wherein said peracetic acid precursor generates in situ peracetic acid (PAA) when the powdered composition of water-soluble ingredients (PCWSI) is contacted with water (W) in a weight ratio (PCWSI)/(W) ranging from 1:100 to 1:4, being understood that when 2 g of said dry, water-soluble mixture of (i)-a), (i)-b), (i)-c) is admixed with 1000 g of water, 100 to 250 ppm of peracetic acid (PAA) are generated in situ at pH 9.0±3; and wherein (ii) said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent is soluble in water (W) selected from the group consisting of an agriculturally acceptable alcohol, glycol ether, propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, and represents from 2% by volume to 70% by volume of the total volume of the synergistic composition to be formed.
 82. The composition of claim 81, wherein said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent is an alcohol of formula ROH where R represents a linear alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a branched alkyl group having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
 83. The composition of claim 82, wherein said composition of water-soluble ingredients further comprises: (iii) at least one wetting agent, wherein the at least one wetting agent is: an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of carboxylates, sulfonates, petroleum sulfonates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, naphthalene sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, sulfated natural oils, sulfated natural fats, sulfated esters, sulfated alkanolamides, alkylphenol ethoxylates and sulfated alkylphenols; a non-ionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alcohol ethoxylates, ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols, polyoxyethylene surfactants, carboxylic esters, polyethylene glycol esters, anhydrosorbitol ester and its ethoxylated derivatives, glycol esters of fatty acids, carboxylic amides, monoalkanolamine condensates and polyoxyethylene fatty acid amides; a cationic surfactant selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium salts, amines with amide linkages, polyoxyethylene alkyl and alicyclic amines, 4-N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis substituted ethylenediamines and 5,2-alkyl-1-hydroxyethyl 2-imidazolines; an amphoteric surfactant selected from the group consisting of N-coco 3-aminopropionic acid and its sodium salt, N-tallow 3-iminodipropionate and its disodium salt, N-carboxymethyl N-dimethyl N-9 octadecenyl ammonium hydroxide, and N-cocoamidethyl N-hydroxyethylglycine and its sodium salt; or an organic biodegradable and biobased surfactant.
 84. The composition of claim 83, wherein said powdered composition of water-soluble ingredients (PCWSI) is a dry, water-soluble mixture of: i. 58% w/w of the solid hydrogen peroxide precursor; ii. 18% w/w of the pH adjusting agent; iii. 20% w/w of the acetylating agent; iv. 4% w/w of a wetting agent as defined in claim 3; and wherein (i), (ii) and (iii) represent the peracetic acid precursor; and wherein when 2 g of said dry, water-soluble mixture of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) is admixed with 1000 g of water, 100 to 250 ppm of peracetic acid (PAA) are generated in situ at pH 9.0±3; wherein the acylating agent is acetylsalicylic acid or tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED); wherein the solid hydrogen peroxide precursor is sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, ammonium percarbonate, sodium peroxyhydrate, calcium peroxide, sodium peroxide, sodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium persulfate, potassium monopersulfate, perphosphate, magnesium peroxide, zinc peroxide, urea hydrogen peroxide, perhydrate of urea, thiourea dioxide, or a mixture thereof; and wherein the pH adjusting agent is sulfuric acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, glycolic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, hydrofluoric acid, nitrous acid, hydrocyanic acid, benzoic acid, carboxylic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, sulfamic acid, phosphorous acid, dipicolinic acid, urea.HCl, boric acid, or a mixture thereof.
 85. A synergistic composition for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds wherein said synergistic composition comprises: water (W); the composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) defined in claim 81; and at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent which is soluble in water (W) and selected from the group consisting of an agriculturally acceptable alcohol, glycol ether, propylene glycol and ethylene glycol; wherein the composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) is contacted with water (W), in a weight ratio (CWSI)/(W) ranging from 1:100 to 1:4, the at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent either forming a mixture with the water (W) or being added to a solution of peracetic acid resulting from the contact of the composition of water-soluble ingredients (CWSI) with water, to form the synergistic composition; and wherein the at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent is present in the synergistic composition in such an amount that it represents from 2% by volume to 70% by volume, of the total volume of the synergistic composition.
 86. The synergistic composition of claim 85, wherein said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent is an alcohol of formula ROH where R represents a linear alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a branched alkyl group having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
 87. The synergistic composition of claim 86, wherein said composition of water-soluble ingredients further comprises: (iii) at least one wetting agent, wherein the at least one wetting agent is: an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of carboxylates, sulfonates, petroleum sulfonates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, naphthalene sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, sulfated natural oils, sulfated natural fats, sulfated esters, sulfated alkanolamides, alkylphenol ethoxylates and sulfated alkylphenols; a non-ionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alcohol ethoxylates, ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols, polyoxyethylene surfactants, carboxylic esters, polyethylene glycol esters, anhydrosorbitol ester and its ethoxylated derivatives, glycol esters of fatty acids, carboxylic amides, monoalkanolamine condensates and polyoxyethylene fatty acid amides; a cationic surfactant selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium salts, amines with amide linkages, polyoxyethylene alkyl and alicyclic amines, 4-N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis substituted ethylenediamines and 5,2-alkyl-1-hydroxyethyl 2-imidazolines; an amphoteric surfactant selected from the group consisting of N-coco 3-aminopropionic acid and its sodium salt, N-tallow 3-iminodipropionate and its disodium salt, N-carboxymethyl N-dimethyl N-9 octadecenyl ammonium hydroxide, and N-cocoamidethyl N-hydroxyethylglycine and its sodium salt; or an organic biodegradable and biobased surfactant.
 88. The synergistic composition of claim 87, wherein said powdered composition of water-soluble ingredients (PCWSI) is a dry, water-soluble mixture of: i. 58% w/w of the solid hydrogen peroxide precursor; ii. 18% w/w of the pH adjusting agent; iii. 20% w/w of the acetylating agent; iv. 4% w/w of a wetting agent as defined in claim 7; and wherein (i), (ii) and (iii) represent the peracetic acid precursor; and wherein when 2 g of said dry, water-soluble mixture of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) is admixed with 1000 g of water, 100 to 250 ppm of peracetic acid (PAA) are generated in situ at pH 9.0±3; wherein the acylating agent is acetylsalicylic acid or tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED); wherein the solid hydrogen peroxide precursor is: sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, ammonium percarbonate, sodium peroxyhydrate, calcium peroxide, sodium peroxide, sodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium persulfate, potassium monopersulfate, perphosphate, magnesium peroxide, zinc peroxide, urea hydrogen peroxide, perhydrate of urea, thiourea dioxide, or a mixture thereof; and wherein the pH adjusting agent is sulfuric acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, glycolic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, hydrofluoric acid, nitrous acid, hydrocyanic acid, benzoic acid, carboxylic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, sulfamic acid, phosphorous acid, dipicolinic acid, urea.HCl, boric acid, or a mixture thereof.
 89. The synergistic composition of claim 88, wherein when the at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alcohols and glycol ethers, said aqueous synergistic composition being further for the prevention of the release of mucilage from seeds.
 90. The synergistic composition of claim 89, wherein seeds are flax seeds or chia seeds.
 91. The synergistic composition of claim 89, wherein said synergistic composition is for an application to the seeds by spraying, vaporizing, soaking, fumigating, or electrostatic spraying.
 92. The synergistic composition of claim 91, wherein the pathogens are selected from the group consisting of viruses, bacteria, fungi, yeasts and moulds.
 93. The synergistic composition of claim 92, for the further prevention of mucilage from seeds.
 94. The synergistic composition of claim 91 wherein the pathogens are: selected from the group consisting of E. Coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp.; or selected from the group consisting of Agrobacterium spp., Burkholderia spp., Clavibacter spp., Corynebacterium spp., Erwinia spp., Pseudomonas spp., Ralstonia spp., Rhizomonas spp., Xanthomonas spp., and Xylella spp.; or selected from the group consisting of Albugo spp., Alternaria spp., Armillaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Athelia spp., Bipolaris spp., Botryosphaeria spp., Botryotinia spp., Botrytis spp., Bremia spp., Capnodium spp., Ceratobasidium spp., Ceratocystis spp., Cercospora spp., Choanephora spp., Claviceps spp., Corynespora spp., Cronartium spp., Cryphonectria spp., Cylindrocladium spp., Cytospora spp., Diaporthe spp., Diplodia spp., Dreschlera spp., Elsinoe spp., Erexohilum spp., Erysiphe spp., Eutypha spp., Exobasidium spp., Fusarium spp., Gaeumannomyces spp., Gliocladium spp., Gymnosporangium spp., Heterobasidium spp., Hypoxylon spp., Kutilakesa spp., Lophiodermium spp., Magnaporthe spp., Melampsora spp., Monilinia spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Myrothecia spp., Nectriella spp., Nematospora spp., Oidium spp., Olpidium spp., Ophiostoma spp., Penicillium spp., Peronospora spp., Phakospora spp., Phoma spp., Phomopsis spp., Phragmidium spp., Phyllactinia spp., Physoderma spp., Phytophthora spp., Plasmodiophora spp., Plasmopara spp., Pseudoperonospora spp., Puccinia spp., Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Rhizopus spp., Rhytisma spp., Sclerotinia spp., Sclerotium spp., Spongospora spp., Synchytrium spp., Taphrina spp., Thanatephorus spp., Thielaviopsis spp., Tilletia spp., Uncinula spp., Urocystis spp., Ustilago spp., Valso spp., Venturia spp., Verticillium spp., and Xylaria spp.
 95. The synergistic composition of claim 94, wherein the seeds are edible seeds, grains raw and/or cooked, seeds of transplantable crops, or seeds for sprouting, and wherein the seeds are: cereals selected from the group consisting of barley, fonio, maize, pearl millet, oats, palmer's grass, rice, rye, sorghum, spelt, teff, triticale, wheat, and wild rice; pseudocereals selected from the group consisting of breadnut, buckwheat, cattail, chia, flax, grain amaranth, kañiwa, pitseed goosefoot, quinoa, and wattleseed; nuts selected from the group consisting of almonds, coconuts, peanuts and cashews, beech, brazil nut, candlenut, cashew, chestnuts, Chinese chestnut, sweet chestnut, coconut, colocynth, Cucurbita ficifolia, filbert, Gevuina avellana, hickory, pecan, shagbark hickory, Terminalia catappa, hazelnut, Indian beech, kola nut, macadamia, Malabar chestnut, pistacia, mamoncillo, maya nut, mongongo, oak acorns, ogbono nut, paradise nut, pili nut, walnut, black walnut, and water caltrop; nut-like gymnosperm seeds selected from the group consisting of cycads, ginkgo, Gnetum gnemon, juniper, monkey-puzzle, pine nuts, and podocarps; seeds selected from the group consisting of cempedak, coffee, egusi, euryale ferox, fluted pumpkin, hemp seed, jackfruit, lotus seed, Malabar gourd, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, sesame seed, and Tahini; beans selected from the group consisting of bambara groundnut, chickpeas, cowpeas, black eyed pea, dry beans, fava, broad beans, hyacinth bean, lablab, lentils, lupins, Moringa oleifera, peas, peanuts, pigeon peas, sterculia, velvet beans, winged beans, yam beans, and soybeans; seeds for sprouting selected from the group consisting of alfalfa, clover, fenugreek, lentil, pea, chickpea, mung bean, soybean; oat, wheat, maize, rice, barley, rye, kamut, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat; sesame, sunflower, almond, hazelnut, linseed, peanut; brassicas, crucifers, broccoli, cabbage, watercress, mustard, mizuna, radish, daikon, rocket, tatsoi and turnip; carrot, celery, fennel, parsley, onion, leek, green onion, me-negi, spinach, lettuce, milk thistle, and lemon grass; seed spices selected from the group consisting of ajwain, carom seeds, alligator pepper, mbongo spice, mbongochobi, hepper pepper, allspice, anise, aniseed myrtle, annatto, borage, black cardamom, black mustard, blue fenugreek, blue melilot, brown mustard, caraway, cardamom, celery seed, clove, coriander seed, cumin, dill seed, fennel, fenugreek, grains of paradise, grains of Selim, Kani pepper, juniper berry, kala zeera, kala jira, black cumin, kawakawa seeds, keluak, kluwak, kepayang, kokam seed, korarima, Ethiopian cardamom, false cardamom, mace, mahlab, Saint Lucie cherry, black mustard seed, brown mustard seed, white mustard seed, yellow mustard seed, nigella, kalonji, black caraway, black onion seed, njangsa, djansang, nutmeg, black pepper seed, green pepper seed, black pepper seed, white pepper seed, star anise, sumac, Szechuan pepper, Sichuan pepper, vanilla, and wattleseed; seeds of crops transplantable from greenhouse to field and selected from the group consisting of basil, bell pepper, broccoflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, head lettuce, honeydew, muskmelon, onion, radicchio, romaine lettuce, squash, tobacco, tomato, and watermelon; or seeds of medical marijuana.
 96. The synergistic composition of claim 95, wherein the seeds are selected from the group consisting hemp, flax and chia seeds.
 97. A method for the control of pathogens and/or the prevention of diseases associated with the presence of said pathogens in and/or on seeds, said method comprising a step of contacting said seeds with a synergistic composition as defined in claim 85, wherein the synergistic composition is contacted with seeds in such an amount that said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent represents less than 10% by volume, as final concentration of the at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent admixed with seeds.
 98. The method of claim 97, wherein in the synergistic composition said at least one agriculturally acceptable solvent is an alcohol of formula ROH where R represents a linear alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a branched alkyl group having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
 99. The method of claim 97, wherein the synergistic composition of water-soluble ingredients further comprises: (iii) at least one wetting agent, wherein the at least one wetting agent is: an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of carboxylates, sulfonates, petroleum sulfonates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, naphthalene sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, sulfated natural oils, sulfated natural fats, sulfated esters, sulfated alkanolamides, alkylphenol ethoxylates and sulfated alkylphenols; a non-ionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of alcohol ethoxylates, ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols, polyoxyethylene surfactants, carboxylic esters, polyethylene glycol esters, anhydrosorbitol ester and its ethoxylated derivatives, glycol esters of fatty acids, carboxylic amides, monoalkanolamine condensates and polyoxyethylene fatty acid amides; a cationic surfactant selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium salts, amines with amide linkages, polyoxyethylene alkyl and alicyclic amines, 4-N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis substituted ethylenediamines and 5,2-alkyl-1-hydroxyethyl 2-imidazolines; an amphoteric surfactant selected from the group consisting of N-coco 3-aminopropionic acid and its sodium salt, N-tallow 3-iminodipropionate and its disodium salt, N-carboxymethyl N-dimethyl N-9 octadecenyl ammonium hydroxide, and N-cocoamidethyl N-hydroxyethylglycine and its sodium salt; or an organic biodegradable and biobased surfactant.
 100. The method of claim 99, wherein the powdered composition of water-soluble ingredients (PCWSI) is a dry, water-soluble mixture of: i. 58% w/w of the solid hydrogen peroxide precursor; ii. 18% w/w of the pH adjusting agent; iii. 20% w/w of the acetylating agent; iv. 4% w/w of a wetting agent as defined in claim 7; and wherein (i), (ii) and (iii) represent the peracetic acid precursor; and wherein when 2 g of said dry, water-soluble mixture of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) is admixed with 1000 g of water, 100 to 250 ppm of peracetic acid (PAA) are generated in situ at pH 9.0±3; wherein the acylating agent is acetylsalicylic acid or tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED); wherein the solid hydrogen peroxide precursor is sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, ammonium percarbonate, sodium peroxyhydrate, calcium peroxide, sodium peroxide, sodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium persulfate, potassium monopersulfate, perphosphate, magnesium peroxide, zinc peroxide, urea hydrogen peroxide, perhydrate of urea, thiourea dioxide, or a mixture thereof; and wherein the pH adjusting agent is sulfuric acid, citric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, glycolic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, hydrofluoric acid, nitrous acid, hydrocyanic acid, benzoic acid, carboxylic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, sulfamic acid, phosphorous acid, dipicolinic acid, urea.HCl, boric acid, or a mixture thereof.
 101. The method of claim 97, for the further prevention of mucilage from seeds.
 102. The method of claim 97, wherein the pathogens are selected from the group consisting of E. Coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp.; or selected from the group consisting of Agrobacterium spp., Burkholderia spp., Clavibacter spp., Corynebacterium spp., Erwinia spp., Pseudomonas spp., Ralstonia spp., Rhizomonas spp., Xanthomonas spp., and Xylella spp.; or selected from the group consisting of Albugo spp., Alternaria spp., Armillaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Athelia spp., Bipolaris spp., Botryosphaeria spp., Botryotinia spp., Botrytis spp., Bremia spp., Capnodium spp., Ceratobasidium spp., Ceratocystis spp., Cercospora spp., Choanephora spp., Claviceps spp., Corynespora spp., Cronartium spp., Cryphonectria spp., Cylindrocladium spp., Cytospora spp., Diaporthe spp., Diplodia spp., Dreschlera spp., Elsinoe spp., Erexohilum spp., Erysiphe spp., Eutypha spp., Exobasidium spp., Fusarium spp., Gaeumannomyces spp., Gliocladium spp., Gymnosporangium spp., Heterobasidium spp., Hypoxylon spp., Kutilakesa spp., Lophiodermium spp., Magnaporthe spp., Melompsora spp., Monilinia spp., Mycosphaerella spp., Myrothecia spp., Nectriella spp., Nematospora spp., Oidium spp., Olpidium spp., Ophiostoma spp., Penicillium spp., Peronospora spp., Phakospora spp., Phoma spp., Phomopsis spp., Phragmidium spp., Phyllactinia spp., Physoderma spp., Phytophthora spp., Plasmodiophora spp., Pasmopara spp., Pseudoperonospora spp., Puccinia spp., Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Rhizopus spp., Rhytisma spp., Sclerotinia spp., Sclerotium spp., Spongospora spp., Synchytrium spp., Taphrina spp., Thanatephorus spp., Thielaviopsis spp., Tilletio spp., Uncinula spp., Urocystis spp., Ustilago spp., Valso spp., Venturia spp., Verticillium spp., and Xylaria spp.
 103. The method of claim 102, wherein the seeds are edible seeds, grains raw and/or cooked, seeds of transplantable crops, or seeds for sprouting; and wherein the seeds are: cereals selected from the group consisting of barley, fonio, maize, pearl millet, oats, palmer's grass, rice, rye, sorghum, spelt, teff, triticale, wheat, and wild rice; pseudocereals selected from the group consisting of breadnut, buckwheat, cattail, chia, flax, grain amaranth, kañiwa, pitseed goosefoot, quinoa, and wattleseed; nuts selected from the group consisting of almonds, coconuts, peanuts and cashews, beech, brazil nut, candlenut, cashew, chestnuts, Chinese chestnut, sweet chestnut, coconut, colocynth, Cucurbita ficifolia, filbert, Gevuina avellana, hickory, pecan, shagbark hickory, Terminalia catappa, hazelnut, Indian beech, kola nut, macadamia, Malabar chestnut, pistacia, mamoncillo, maya nut, mongongo, oak acorns, ogbono nut, paradise nut, pili nut, walnut, black walnut, and water caltrop; nut-like gymnosperm seeds selected from the group consisting of cycads, ginkgo, Gnetum gnemon, juniper, monkey-puzzle, pine nuts, and podocarps; seeds selected from the group consisting of cempedak, coffee, egusi, euryale ferox, fluted pumpkin, hemp seed, jackfruit, lotus seed, Malabar gourd, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, sesame seed, and Tahini; beans selected from the group consisting of bambara groundnut, chickpeas, cowpeas, black eyed pea, dry beans, fava, broad beans, hyacinth bean, lablab, lentils, lupins, Moringa oleifera, peas, peanuts, pigeon peas, sterculia, velvet beans, winged beans, yam beans, and soybeans; seeds for sprouting selected from the group consisting of alfalfa, clover, fenugreek, lentil, pea, chickpea, mung bean, soybean; oat, wheat, maize, rice, barley, rye, kamut, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat; sesame, sunflower, almond, hazelnut, linseed, peanut; brassicas, crucifers, broccoli, cabbage, watercress, mustard, mizuna, radish, daikon, rocket, tatsoi and turnip; carrot, celery, fennel, parsley, onion, leek, green onion, me-negi, spinach, lettuce, milk thistle, and lemon grass; seed spices selected from the group consisting of ajwain, carom seeds, alligator pepper, mbongo spice, mbongochobi, hepper pepper, allspice, anise, aniseed myrtle, annatto, borage, black cardamom, black mustard, blue fenugreek, blue melilot, brown mustard, caraway, cardamom, celery seed, clove, coriander seed, cumin, dill seed, fennel, fenugreek, grains of paradise, grains of Selim, Kani pepper, juniper berry, kala zeera, kala jira, black cumin, kawakawa seeds, keluak, kluwak, kepayang, kokam seed, korarima, Ethiopian cardamom, false cardamom, mace, mahlab, Saint Lucie cherry, black mustard seed, brown mustard seed, white mustard seed, yellow mustard seed, nigella, kalonji, black caraway, black onion seed, njangsa, djansang, nutmeg, black pepper seed, green pepper seed, black pepper seed, white pepper seed, star anise, sumac, Szechuan pepper, Sichuan pepper, vanilla, and wattleseed; seeds of crops transplantable from greenhouse to field and selected from the group consisting of basil, bell pepper, broccoflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, head lettuce, honeydew, muskmelon, onion, radicchio, romaine lettuce, squash, tobacco, tomato, and watermelon; or seeds of medical marijuana.
 104. The method of claim 103, wherein said synergistic composition is for an application to the seeds by spraying, vaporizing, soaking, fumigating, or electrostatic spraying.
 105. The method of claim 104, wherein said synergistic composition is for an application to the seeds by spraying and keeping the synergistic composition in contact with the seeds and grains for 2 minutes to 48 hours before drying.
 106. The method of claim 105, wherein the synergistic composition is kept in contact with the seeds and grains for 24 hours before drying.
 107. The method of claim 105, wherein seeds are dried after contact with the synergistic composition and contact time, to reduce the moisture content of the seeds below 10% and further contribute to prevent a regrowth of microorganisms. 